Packers’ division title snapped by Vikings

Tonight’s win gave the Vikings a lot of superlatives to ponder, which includes winning the NFC North for the first time since the 2009 season.

Green Bay finished 23rd in total yards and 25th in passing yards, and Rodgers posted his lowest completion percentage and passer rating since taking over as the team’s starter in 2008.

Seattle Times staff reporter Bob Condotta breaks down this week’s Seahawks playoff opponent, the Minnesota Vikings.

Here are a few quick hits from Sunday. Although the team is not known for its defense, the fact is the Packers’ offensive line isn’t that good either.

Cordarrelle Patterson, who had two touchdowns on kickoff returns entering the game, had a 70-yard return – though he fumbled on the play. But the Vikings’ defense, which had been on the field for 31 minutes before this fourth-quarter drive, held firm.

The defence stayed strong for Minnesota limiting Aaron Rodgers’ rally to 10 points, mainly thanks to Xavier Rhodes’ interception of a would-be touchdown pass.

With a six play 58 yard drive, capped off by a four yard touchdown run by Adrian Peterson the Vikings extended their lead to ten.

The Packers started the second half with the ball, but were unable to take advantage.

Minnesota struck first, keyed by a 41-yard run by Thielen on a fake punt.

A handful of Vikings later came back onto the field to take pictures. Zimmer kept the foot on the gas defensively, blitzing Rodgers in critical situations – including a failed fourth-and-5 in the first half. Griffen played a critical role in the game with the NFC North Championship on the line and wreaked havoc against Packers backup left tackle Josh Sitton. The scene looked very different during the season finale, however, as the Minnesota defense tackled Rodgers in the backfield five times for 17 yards.

Along with their struggles on offense, the Packers must also surpass the challenge of playing on the road for their Wildcard Playoff duel with Washington. Sharrif Floyd once again slid over from the three-technique to play the nose, while Tom Johnson stepped in at the three-technique.

Perhaps, but how likely is it that the Packers offense is going to get on a roll right now when the last 16 games have shown them to be an inconsistent team on that side of the ball? The opening series ended in a field goal. The 30-year-old, though, gained only 18 of those yards in the first meeting against the Seahawks, a game in which he had just eight carries. With 10:32 left in the third quarter the Vikings took a 13-3 lead.

Should the Vikings win, that would set up a second rematch as they would travel to Arizona, where they lost 23-20 just four weeks ago.

Win that game and get a little help from the sixth-seeded Seahawks (Seattle would have to beat the Vikings and Panthers on the road), and the NFC title would be decided at FedEx Field.

The Skins will be hampered by injury in the defensive backfield, as both Dashaun Phillips (cervical stinger) and Kyshoen Jarrett (concussion) left the win over Dallas and did not return.