MINNEAPOLIS – A blocked punt by the Packers led to the game's first touchdown, and Green Bay took a 7-0 lead over Minnesota after one period on Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings gained one first down on their opening drive, on a 15-yard pass from QB Sam Bradford to WR Adam Thielen. But DT Letroy Guion stuffed RB Adrian Peterson on first down, and then Bradford threw incomplete twice, forcing a punt.
The Packers' first play from scrimmage was an adventure. WR Davante Adams caught a short pass but had the ball knocked out. Vikings S Andrew Sendejo recovered and tried to run with it, only to have WR Randall Cobb strip it right back for the Packers. Green Bay went three-and-out from there and punted from its own 15.
A sack by Mike Daniels led to a three-and-out for the Vikings, and Packers WR Ty Montgomery promptly blocked Minnesota's punt, giving the Packers the ball near midfield. Montgomery, who blocked a punt in the preseason, came right up the middle.
The Packers quickly took advantage. On third-and-2, QB Aaron Rodgers went deep to WR Davante Adams, who was interfered with by CB Terence Newman on the Minnesota 4-yard line.
Two plays later, Newman was called for holding WR Jordy Nelson in the end zone, putting the ball on the 1. On second-and-goal, Rodgers ran a play-action boot to the left and found Nelson wide open for the score. K Mason Crosby's extra point gave the Packers a 7-0 lead with 5:39 left in the period.
Daniels continued to wreak havoc in the Vikings' backfield, tackling Peterson for minus-1 and zero yards on two runs, leading to another punt.
The Packers did little with it, though. After one first down, Rodgers was sacked on third down and fumbled the ball, but C JC Tretter recovered for the Packers deep in Green Bay territory.
