MINNEAPOLIS – The Packers wrapped up their regular season by resting as many starters as they could and fell to the Vikings, 16-3, at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Green Bay will enter the playoffs as the No. 7 seed with a 9-7-1 record, having lost four straight and awaiting news on whether the wild-card opponent is Chicago or Philadelphia. Minnesota ended its season on a five-game winning streak and finished 9-8.
Playing backups against the Vikings’ starters, the Packers couldn’t do much on offense, not surpassing 100 total yards until their last possession, when they kicked a field goal on the game’s final play. Green Bay was outgained 363-121 on the day.
QB Clayton Tune was 6-for-11 for 34 yards and a 60.4 passer rating, getting sacked four times, mostly by unblocked rushers. RB Chris Brooks had 13 carries for 61 yards, and RB Emanuel Wilson had 18 carries for 44 yards. WR Jakobie Keeney-James had two catches for 15 yards.
Green Bay’s backups on defense held up reasonably well, only allowing one touchdown and getting a strip-sack with the Vikings in the red zone that kept points off the board. DL Brenton Cox Jr. was credited with the sack and forced fumble, and DL Barryn Sorrell made the recovery. Sorrell also had a zero-yard sack in the game.
QB J.J. McCarthy was 14-of-23 for 182 yards and an 85.8 passer rating before exiting the game early in the third quarter. Max Brosmer finished the game, going 7-of-8 for 57 yards and a 96.4 rating.
WR Justin Jefferson eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season by catching eight passes for 101 yards. RB Jordan Mason had 14 carries for 94 yards, and FB C.J. Ham scored the lone TD.
The Packers did report two injuries during the course of the game. WR Bo Melton and S Javon Bullard both left the game with knee injuries.
Here’s a recap of all the action:
