GREEN BAY – The Packers played a solid all-around game in defeating the Vikings, 23-6, on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Here are five takeaways from the triumph that improved Green Bay to 7-3-1.
- The defense was absolutely dominant.
The Vikings mustered just 145 total yards, going 2-of-9 on third down. QB J.J. McCarthy (34.2 passer rating) was sacked five times and intercepted twice. Minnesota's only scores came on a pair of field goals from 50-plus yards.
Want more? The Vikings' lone trip into the red zone, early in the second quarter, the Packers stuffed a tight end sneak and up-the-gut run on third- and fourth-and-short.
In the second half, Minnesota went three-and-out three straight times, punted twice from the back of the end zone, and didn't get a first down until five minutes remained in the fourth quarter. Green Bay's defense played just 44 snaps.
"It was amazing," QB Jordan Love said of the defensive outing. "It was a big-time job by everybody on the defense."
Micah Parsons and Devonte Wyatt had two sacks apiece, nearly getting safeties a couple of times. Isaiah McDuffie had an interception and half sack. Evan Williams had the other INT, his second in two games and team-leading third on the season, plus a tackle for loss against the run.
"We had a bunch of opportunities a week ago," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said of the interceptions, "and today we made them pay."
- Emanuel Wilson was the offensive star.
Filling in for an injured Josh Jacobs and making his first NFL start, the third-year running back had a career day. His 28 carries for 107 yards were both season highs for any Packers running back, and he scored two TDs for the first time in his career as well.
"He's a guy we got confidence in," Love said of Wilson. "Mentally he was preparing all week to be the guy."
The Packers made the decision Sunday morning to sit Jacobs coming off his knee contusion in last week's Giants game, and with the quick turnaround coming against Detroit on Thanksgiving.
Wilson did his best Jacobs impersonation, frankly, getting a lot of yards after contact and showing a nose for the end zone. LaFleur complemented Wilson on running with low pad level, allowing him to bounce off a tackler in the hole at the goal line on his first touchdown, and still score on the second effort.
"That's something that we're stressing to him all the time because E is a big, powerful back," LaFleur said, adding kudos for the mentoring he's gotten from RB coach Ben Sirmans and Jacobs. "He's kind of unassuming at times, but he's powerful, and when you run with the right pad level, it just shows you what he's capable of doing."
- One play on special teams altered the game.
Leading 10-6 at halftime, the Packers got the ball to start the third quarter but stalled after crossing midfield. The ensuing Daniel Whelan punt bounced inside the 10-yard line, and Green Bay special-teamer Zayne Anderson blocked a Minnesota returner Myles Price into the ball, making it live, and pounced on the recovery.
That set up first-and-goal on the 5, two plays later Wilson was in the end zone for a second time to make it 17-6, and the Vikings never recovered.
"Those are the ones where you've got to capitalize," Love said of the first of the day's three takeaways. "You've got to take advantage of the opportunity. That's the complementary ball we've been talking about."
From there, the defense was unleashed on McCarthy, the Packers pounded the run on offense to control the ball and milk the clock, and they added two field goals for the final margin.
"That changed the entire game," LaFleur said of the so-called muffed punt. "I can't say enough about that play. It was a great punt, first of all, by Daniel, and then Zayne Anderson, his ability to drive his man into the football and then somehow come up with it, I thought that was the play of the game. That was the difference-maker right there."
- Another key injury occurred, though.
Already down Jacobs and receiver Matthew Golden on offense – with Love also handing off solely right-handed due to a bum left shoulder – plus linebacker Quay Walker and cornerback Nate Hobbs on defense, top corner Keisean Nixon left the game in the second quarter with a stinger when he slammed into Wyatt along the sideline after shoving receiver Justin Jefferson out of bounds.
Nixon didn't return, which forced Carrington Valentine to take over in coverage on Jefferson, and thrust Kamal Hadden into action for the first time this season.
The defense didn't skip a beat, but Nixon's availability for Thursday is certainly in doubt. LaFleur lauded the efforts by both Valentine and Hadden in challenging spots.
"Kamal has made as much progress as any player that we've had here," LaFleur said of the former Chiefs draft pick who spent all of last season on Green Bay's practice squad. "Just to see where he's come from to where he is now … he practices the right way, he approaches it the right way. Really proud of him.
"I think CV's done a helluva job, ever since his role's been expanded. I mean, he's answered the bell."
- The NFC North race is as tight as ever.
The Bears and Lions both won close games Sunday, so at 7-3-1 the Packers remain sandwiched in the division between first-place Chicago (8-3) and third-place Detroit (7-4).
In four days, the Packers and Lions clash at Ford Field, and then on Black Friday, the Bears take on the Super Bowl-champion Eagles in Philadelphia.
"Obviously the prep has got to get started today," Love said. "Everybody's trying to get their bodies back, get back healthy as quickly as possible."
Concluded LaFleur: "It'll be a great challenge for us, but one our guys will be ready for."
