Packers defeat division opponent Vikings to maintain their hopes of making the playoffs.
The Green Bay Packers defeated their NFC North opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, 33-10 to improve to 8-8 on the season, ensuring their spot in the NFC postseason picture.
With the Detroit Lions having already won the division, the Packers were staring at the wild card scenario as of Sunday night, when they were the ninth seed on the outside. With the win, the Packers are still in the running, while the Vikings, who entered the game with the same record, are now more of an outsider.
The Vikings started rookie quarterback Jaren Hall in place of Nick Mullens, who had started the previous two games, per head coach Kevin O’Connell. However, the Vikings’ strategy didn’t end up working out.
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On December 31, 2023, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jayden Reed #11 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Getty Images/David Berding)
Hall had trouble, going just 67 yards on five of ten passes through the air, one interception, and one fumble. This resulted in Mullens starting the second half for Minnesota, but by then, Jordan Love and the Packers had established a significant lead, making it difficult to overcome.
The Packers capitalised on Hall’s interception with their first touchdown drive, taking a 3-0 lead. In just two plays, Love found his rookie receiver, Jayden Reed, with a 33-yard touchdown pass. Love had an excellent field position.
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In this instance, Reed wasn’t done locating the end zone. Reed used his lightning speed to run another 25 yards to burst into the goal zone, dodging tackles along the way, after Love himself hit the end zone on a two-yard rush earlier in the half.
With 89 yards on six catches, Reed led the Packers in receiving yards, but he would depart the game early due to a chest injury.
In the third quarter, Love skillfully organised an incredible 91-yard drive that resulted in a score for the Packers from Bo Melton. On third-and-1 from Minnesota’s nine-yard line, Melton was wide open in the back right of the end zone for a nine-yard score.
On December 31, 2023, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at U.S. Bank Stadium, Kenny Clark #97 of the Green Bay Packers applies pressure to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jaren Hall #16 during the second quarter. (Getty Images/Stephen Maturen)
With three touchdowns and no interceptions, Love would end the game 24-of-33 for 256 yards—exactly what head coach Matt LaFleur was hoping for from his new franchise quarterback.
The fact that veteran running back Aaron Jones was laying the groundwork for the Packers to expose the other members of the offence also helped. Jones completed 20 carries for 120 yards on the ground.
Mullen was 13-of-22 for 113 yards and one touchdown pass to Johnny Mundt, tight end, for the Vikings, who at least managed to get the home team into the end zone. Although Minnesota found it difficult to sustain its offence throughout the game, Justin Jefferson managed five catches for 59 yards on ten targets.
