Packers fans were hoping for a statement game away from Lambeau Field. Unfortunately, the Vikings beat them to it. Aaron Jones outplayed Josh Jacobs, Sam Darnold outplayed Jordan Love, and Kevin O’Connell outcoached Matt LaFleur. Viking defensive coordinator Brian Flores also outcoached Packer defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
The tone this season for Green Bay is often set by Josh Jacobs. This game was no exception. His fumble on the first offensive series carried through the entire offense.
Packers Defense Shows Flashes but Lacks Consistency
The Packer defense made some solid plays in the first half. The defense lined up at the Minnesota 38 after Jacobs’ fumble and was able to force a punt after only one first down for Minnesota. Edgerrin Cooper made some nice run stops, but the defense was missing one thing all game: a consistent pass rush.
Carrington Valentine had a nice interception, adding to the pick he had last game. But multiple blitzes by Keisean Nixon were not effective. Nixon did get the only other pass defensed by a member of the secondary.
Jonathan Bullard seemed to struggle in his return from injury, getting roasted for scores twice. The secondary did not fair much better. Darnold had all day to find eight different receivers, and converted half of the third downs.
Darnold Dominates, Love Struggles
Jordan Love seemed to be under pressure on every pass play. On the other side of the field, Sam Darnold had all day to find receivers, and he cashed in. Before the Packers scored in the 4th quarter to make the score a bit more respectable, Darnold was 30-38 for 329 yards and a 120 QBR.
Fourth Quarter Rally Falls Short
The Packers made it close. Darnold threw a pick, and Love had a couple of nice 4th-quarter drives, but it was not enough. It will not be enough in the playoffs either. Love ended 19-30 for 185 yards, 1 TD, and a 91.7 rating.
Most of Love’s yards came in a fourth-quarter rally that saw the Packers rally from a boring 20-3 score to a nail-biting 27-25 drama with two minutes remaining. But the miracle rally was not to be. Minnesota made their first downs and ran out the clock to the cheers of all in the stadium wearing purple.
Penalties and Lack of Discipline Costly
The most frustrating part of the game was that Green Bay had multiple inexcusable penalties that boiled down to focus and discipline. Seven penalties for 41 yards may not jump off the page, but giving Minnesota three points by being offsides on a field goal that was originally missed, in a game with a 2-point final margin, is a game-breaker. On three different drives that ended in punts for Green Bay, they could not overcome a self-inflicted penalty.
Examples of Costly Penalties
The Packers had twelve men in the huddle, an illegal formation, and a wide receiver covering up another receiver when he should not have. Teams do not win big games without focus and enough discipline to not make those basic mistakes. The field goal penalty was a crucial one, but the others contributed. Minnesota did not make drive-killing penalties.
Packers Need to Improve Pass Rush
Two things need to happen for Green Bay to improve against the Vikings. Their defense has to figure out how to sack Darnold and pressure him at a high rate. There was not one holding penalty called by the officials against Minnesota.
The single holding penalty called during the game was against Packer guard Sean Rhyan on a questionable call on a run block. The Packers need to have a plan that will effectively pressure good quarterbacks. The offense also needs to eliminate focus penalties.
Offense Stagnates Without Watson
Love and the offense seem to stagnate when Christian Watson is off the field. Jayden Reed has special talents, and Romeo Doubs is a good receiver, but on this Sunday, no one stood up to be the number one target. Part of that seemed to be the game plan.
In a game where you are down three scores in the 4th quarter, there is plenty of blame to go around. The Packers clearly have work to do. They have two weeks to turn this team into a playoff contender.
Looking Ahead
Next up, Chicago. Can the Packers make the necessary changes?
Unbelievable offsides call pic.twitter.com/xpDZ9hN3UN
— Packerfan Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) December 29, 2024
3 Comments
The holding call on Sean Rhyan was not at all questionable. They even showed it on replay. Grabbing an opponent’s uniform and tackling him to the ground when he is not in possession of the ball is a Hold. There were many holding calls not called but they were Packers doing the holding. This was both holding by the offensive line — at times absolutely mugging Vikings defenders with arms around their necks — and by Packers DBs, some of them acting as human anchors on Jefferson. The refs only called against the Packers what was so obvious that they absolutely had to call it. Meanwhile, there were 3 calls against the Vikings which were fictitious offenses. For instance, Harrison Smith was blocked by a Packers and Smith made contact with the Packer’s CHEST and was called for a low block. Ridiculous. The refs tried their best to help the Packers with non-calls versus them and made up calls versus the Vikings and the Packers STILL lost. It was not nearly as close as the score indicates.
Vikings are the better team this season. Their defense has Love’s number.
Coward.