5 takeaways from Packers’ loss to Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS – The Packers fell means behind after which rallied late, but it surely wasn’t sufficient in a 27-25 defeat to the Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Financial institution Stadium.

Listed here are 5 takeaways from the robust loss:

1. One other case of too little, too late.

As a result of the Vikings, after the Packers scored two touchdowns for 15 factors to chop a 17-point deficit to 2, obtained two first downs to expire the clock.

The second was transformed on a third-and-3, the Packers’ final probability to get the ball again, and QB Sam Darnold floated a go within the flat that working again Cam Akers caught above his shoetops whereas falling backwards.

The Vikings went into victory formation and the comeback went for naught.

“Our guys proceed to combat and scratch and claw, however we simply cannot put ourselves in a gap like that,” Head Coach Matt LaFleur stated. “It took too lengthy to get going offensively, and that was the consequence.”

2. The miscues that created the deficit have been many.

A fumble on the sport’s opening drive, a failed fourth down in scoring territory, two unlawful formation flags that worn out first downs, a 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty, and an offside on a missed subject purpose that gave the Vikings one other crack on the kick on the ultimate play of the primary half … all of it added as much as a irritating afternoon and, in the long run, an excessive amount of to beat.

LaFleur clearly disagreed with one of many unlawful formation calls, in addition to the offside on the sector purpose, however to no avail. These occurred on back-to-back possessions late within the first half that helped finish a Inexperienced Bay drive and provides Minnesota three factors for a 13-3 lead at intermission. The deficit then obtained worse when the Vikings scored a TD to open the second half.

“I am not going to make excuses for it,” LaFleur stated of the flags. “They noticed it in a different way.”

3. The protection’s incapacity to generate a go rush made life tough.

Inexperienced Bay’s protection was already shorthanded within the secondary attributable to accidents after which misplaced security Zayne Anderson to a concussion early from a sort out on kickoff protection.

The thinning depth within the again finish wasn’t helped by a go rush that struggled to get to Darnold, who was not often pressured and sacked simply as soon as in 43 go makes an attempt. He accomplished an environment friendly 33 for 377 yards and three TDs, with one INT, for a 116.1 ranking, producing a number of massive features downfield.

“You have to get strain on these guys if they are going to drop again that many occasions,” LaFleur stated. “Should you do not, it is going to be a protracted day.

“They have plenty of weapons.”

Certainly, on a day the Packers stopped the Vikings’ floor sport for essentially the most half (23 carries for 72 yards, not together with kneel-downs), 4 go catchers every compiled 68 or extra yards for Darnold, led by Justin Jefferson with eight catches for 92 yards.