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Green Bay vs. Minnesota
10/5/98 - Packers lose 24-37
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Roell Preston set a Packers' record with 8 kick returns for 256 yards and a touchdown
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When it rained on the 59,849 spectators at Lambeau Field Monday night,
it poured on the Green Bay Packers.
The Minnesota Vikings controlled the Packers on both sides of the ball,
defeating them 37-24, and ending their 25-game winning streak at home.
"It's been a long time since I've had to sit in this room and talk about
a game like that one," Packers Coach Mike Holmgren said.
The good news for the Packers was running back Travis Jervey returned
from a hamstring injury and ran the ball well, and Roell Preston
returned a kickoff 101 yards for a score. The bad news was--just about
everything else.
(294K) |
Packers Radio Network with the call!
Roell Preston returns a kickoff 101 yards for a TD! |
Packers quarterback Brett Favre threw three interceptions, and Vikings
quarterback Randall Cunningham made the Packers pay by completing 20 of
32 passes for 442-the most yards ever against the Packers. Cunningham
threw four touchdowns, including two to rookie receiver Randy Moss, and
one each to Cris Carter and Jake Reed. Minnesota's 545 total yards was
the most against Green Bay since the Washington Redskins gained 552 on
October 17, 1983.
"Give credit to the Vikings, they played a really good football game,"
Holmgren said. "Those wide receivers did a great job. Randall
Cunningham had a great game, and we couldn't keep up with them-not
tonight."
Actually, the Packers defensive backs were usually able to keep up with
the Vikings' receivers, but knocking down the ball was another story.
On multiple long passing plays, including a 52-yarder to Moss and a
56-yarder to Reed, Tyrone Williams and Craig Newsome had excellent
position, but Moss and Reed simply leapt higher, timed their jumps, and
came down with the ball.
Defensive backs coach Bob Valesente said before the game he knew they
had to have tight coverage. His players provided that, but couldn't
finish the play. On one Vikings scoring drive in the second quarter,
Cunningham threw the ball in the end zone and Newsome was in perfect
position to make the interception, but the ball hit his hands and fell
out.
The next play, Cunningham found running back Robert Smith for a 24-yard
touchdown.
When Favre threw the ball to into the end zone early in the third
quarter, Vikings defender Robert Griffith got his hands on the ball, he
finished the play by making the pick in front of receiver Antonio
Freeman. At that point, the Vikings led 27-10 and never let go of the
momentum.
(174K) | Packers Radio Network with the call!
Tyrone Davis catches a TD pass from Doug Pederson |
"All my throws, I threw where I thought (the receivers) were going to
be," Favre said. "The one I had to Antonio in the end zone, I threw it,
and the ball curved on me. I could sit here and blame it on the wind,
but it happens. You gotta play in it."
The Packers ran the ball well, gaining 102 yards on 20 carries for an
impressive 5.1-yard average. Jervey provided a spark, gaining 55 yards
on eight carries for a 6.9-yard average and a long of 10 yards. Raymont
Harris took seven hand-offs for 27 yards, a 3.9 average, and fumbled
once on a play where Packers tackle Matt Willig recovered.
"I thought (Jervey) showed speed," Holmgren said. "His leg didn't
appear to bother him. There were a few encouraging signs for us, and
that was one of them. Raymont also ran very well. We might use both of
them like we did tonight in certain situations."
"The running game was great," Favre said. "But when you're down several
touchdowns, it doesn't help you a lot."
The Vikings' ability to apply pressure to Favre, coupled with the
Packers' inability to get to Cunningham, decided the game.
"Any team that plays the Vikings," Holmgren said, "you better get some
pressure, or those big receivers are going to cause you some problems.
And we did not get enough presure on them this evening."
Cunningham was able to throw down-field against man-to-man coverage, and
dump the ball over the middle to Carter with ease against the Packers'
zone defense.
Adding injury to insult, three starters had to leave the game, including
the Packers' best defensive playmaker, safety LeRoy Butler, tackle Ross
Verba and linebacker George Koonce.
Butler's injury made the secondary's troubles worse.
"He's got a sprained ankle," Holmgren said. "He went back into the game
and played. It's pretty sore right now."
The injury list started to grow on the first play, when backup tight end
Jeff Thomason went down with a concussion on the opening kickoff.
"Verba has an ankle," Holmgren said. "He got kicked in the ankle, and
it wouldn't work. I think he's going to be OK."
Holmgren said receiver Derrick Mayes' injury could be the most serious.
"Yeah, I'm a little worried," Holmgren said. "When I came in here, they
were still examining him. There's that possibility."
The Packers have a bye next week to heal and game plan for their next
game at Detroit against the Lions next week Thursday.
(174K) | Packers Radio Network with the call!
Bill Schroeder with a TD catch from Pederson |
Scoring Summary
- 1st Quarter
- MIN: 33 yard Anderson FG (3:29)
- 2nd Quarter
- GBP: 40 yard Longwell FG (14:53)
Key plays:
Jervey: 2 for 18yds;
Freeman: 17yd catch
- MIN: 56 yard TD pass; Cunningham to Reed (Anderson kick) (12:09)
- GBP: 101 yard Preston TD kickoff return (Longwell kick) (11:52)
- MIN: 52 yard TD pass; Cunningham to Moss (Anderson kick) (9:56)
- MIN: 24 yard TD pass; Cunningham to Smith (Anderson kick) (4:43)
- 3rd Quarter
- MIN: 25 yard Anderson FG (11:21)
- 4th Quarter
- MIN: 19 yard Anderson FG (13:58)
- MIN: 44 yard TD pass; Cunningham to Moss (Anderson kick) (10:16)
- GBP: 11 yard TD pass; Pederson to Davis (Longwell kick) (3:03)
Key play:
Pederson: 4/6 for 54yds
- GBP: 16 yard TD pass; Pederson to Schroeder (Longwell kick) (:45)
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