Vikings struggle on big stage again in 30-13 loss to Packers

“We needed 19 points to win today, you would expect us at home to score 19 points”, Rodgers said. Really, Rodgers was not the reason the team was losing.

“But the reality is, when you get up in the morning, it’s all about Chicago”. Yes, I had the Vikings winning this game and keeping the No. 1 spot in the NFC North. The Vikings were hot coming into this game. They were flagged eight times for an astounding 110 penalty yards, over a third the amount the Packers earned themselves. Against the Packers, they were pushed around in all facets.

The story played out again in Week 11, and again, Teddy Bridgewater paid the price.

“Vikings fans might be a little more friendly when it comes to the rivalry than the packers fans”, said Erchul. Already with a slew of injuries on the roster, they have fewer days for recovery and less time to rest. Adrian Peterson was held to just 45 rushing yards, his lowest total in a game since Week 1. When he did have a chance to redeem himself, he fumbled.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer ordered his team black T-shirts with “Beat Green Bay” printed on the back and the NFC North logo on the front, in case a reminder of the stakes was necessary. The game was the best performance for Lacy this season and his first 100-yard game of 2015.

But anyone that’s watched the Packers during Mike McCarthy’s 10-year reign as head coach understands the Packers have usually responded well when their season reaches a crossroad. It’s easy to win when no one’s watching, but the playoff teams, the division champions, and the contenders win no matter how big the stage. The other games were nice wins that have shown the positive influence of offensive coordinator Adam Gase on Cutler this season.

Still, scoring 30 points usually equates to a Packers win, and that’s exactly what happened. As predicted, they would try and get him involved in this one. He also hit Jones on a two-point conversion pass for a two-score lead. They got great penetration all day and we tackled well on the back end.

Wide receiver James Jones, held without a catch last week in a loss to the Detroit Lions, caught five balls for 106 yards and a pretty, toe-dragging touchdown along the left sideline, which essentially iced the game. And throwing more deep balls had multiple positive effects – gaining yards, drawing an interference penalty and getting the Vikings safeties to back off a bit.

The Packers also got a 10-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Randall Cobb with 6 seconds left in the first half for a 16-6 lead.

Kicker Mason Crosby, who missed a 52-yard field goal last week on the final play that would have won the game, drilled five field goals, all from beyond 40 yards.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph gashed the Green Bay defense with six receptions for 106 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown dash after snaring a ideal throw from Bridgewater over defender Micah Hyde. The defense, which had gone without a sack for three straight games, cornered Vikings’ Teddy Bridgewater six times. But he faced constant pressure, and penalties too often put the offense in long-yardage situations for a first down. So, not only would the Packers have had three, six or nine points less on the scoreboard, Minnesota would’ve taken over on offense past the 30-yard line rather than receiving a kickoff.