GREEN BAY – A scoreless third quarter sent the Packers into the fourth with a 28-13 lead over the Vikings on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
The third quarter started with Packers DT Mike Daniels sacking QB Sam Bradford on the first play. LB Clay Matthews batted down his second pass of the game on third down, and the Vikings had to punt.
The Packers couldn't take advantage, though. QB Aaron Rodgers was sacked on third down by Vikings DE Danielle Hunter and LB Eric Kendricks. Rodgers remained down on the field for a few moments and was tended to by the medical staff, but he got up and walked off under his own power.
The Vikings drove from their own 13 out near midfield, but Matthews drew a holding penalty on T T.J. Clemmings to put Minnesota in third-and-long, leading to a punt. Packers DB Micah Hyde made some nifty moves to return the punt 19 yards to the Green Bay 34.
Rodgers didn't miss any snaps and came right back into the game, but the Packers went three-and-out. The Vikings then went three-and-out themselves from inside their own 20, with CB Damarious Randall knocking away a deep pass for WR Cordarelle Patterson on third down. Hyde returned this punt 11 yards to the Minnesota 44.
Rodgers hit rookie WR Geronimo Allison for 11 yards on third-and-10, as Allison made a diving grab over the middle. Rodgers and Allison converted another third down as Rodgers got away from the blitz and found the rookie for 8 yards and a first down at the 19. But Rodgers was sacked on third down by Kendricks, and the quarter expired with the Packers facing fourth down from the Minnesota 30.
