|
|
MIN |
GB |
Vikings-Packers Preview
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Minnesota Vikings already have emerged as one of the NFL’s biggest surprises by winning their first three games after being a consensus pick to finish last in the NFC North.
They can make their biggest statement of the young season Sunday by winning at Green Bay in a divisional showdown.
“My challenge to the team is, once again, last Sunday means absolutely nothing,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “The first three games of the season mean absolutely nothing if we don’t start continuing to maintain our play style.
"Hopefully soon enough, we can start talking about it being the standard of how we play every week.”
The Vikings (3-0) have trailed for less than 3½ minutes so far this season while beating the New York Giants, defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans.
Now the Vikings open their NFC North schedule against the Packers (2-1), who have won two straight games without quarterback Jordan Love as he recovers from a knee injury. Love is practicing on a limited basis for a second straight week as he attempts to return for the Vikings game.
Whether Love plays or Malik Willis fills in for a third consecutive week, the Packers understand the challenge they’ll face from a Minnesota defense that has an NFL-leading 16 sacks.
“They’re coached up very well, and they all have a great idea of where they need to be,” Love said. “I think at the end of the day, it just comes down to being able to decipher what they’re doing and then at the snap of the ball, trying to figure out, ‘Are they bluffing? Are they coming?’ Things like that. They do so much stuff that it is hard to have an idea what they’re doing pre-snap, so a lot of that stuff, you’ve just got to feel it out.”
Aaron Jones spent his first seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers and became one of the team’s most popular players while rushing for 5,940 yards and 45 touchdowns.
After running for over 100 yards in each of his last five games with the Packers, Jones was asked to take a pay cut for a second straight year. Jones instead left Green Bay and signed with Minnesota.
Sunday marks his first game at Lambeau Field as a visiting player. Jones says he’s “definitely” taking a “Lambeau leap” into the stands if he scores a touchdown.
“Hopefully there’s a Vikings fan ... so I can jump up to them,” Jones said.
The Vikings have outscored their first three opponents 85-30. That represents the second-highest point margin through their first three games in franchise history, behind the 1975 team that outscored its first three opponents by 67 points.
That 1975 team went on to win its first 10 games and finished the regular season at 12-2 before losing to Dallas in the NFC divisional playoffs.
With Green Bay’s Brayden Narveson and Minnesota’s Will Reichard, the game could be decided by a rookie kicker.
Reichard, a sixth-round draft pick who became the all-time leading scorer in college football history over his career at Alabama, is perfect so far for the Vikings: 5 for 5 on field goals and 10 for 10 on extra points. He made a 58-yarder, the second-longest in Vikings history, last week against the Texans.
Narveson has 11 field-goal attempts already to tie Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell for the NFL lead. He has made nine of them, with the misses coming from 43 and 45 yards away.
The Packers have intercepted seven passes and have nine total takeaways to lead the NFL in both categories. They now face Minnesota’s Sam Darnold, who has rejuvenated his career by throwing eight touchdown passes with only two interceptions in Minnesota’s first two games.
“He’s been a really good quarterback,” said Packers safety Xavier McKinney, who has intercepted a pass in each of Green Bay’s three games. “He’s not making a lot of mistakes. He’s putting the ball on point for his guys to be able to make plays after the catch. He’s doing a lot of good things for his team, for that offense, and we’ve got to find ways to create opportunities for us to be successful and be able to get the ball back."
The Packers have an NFL-leading 204 yards rushing per game. Minnesota is allowing just 71.3 yards per game and is tied for second in the league in run defense.
Green Bay averages 5.5 yards per carry to rank second in the NFL, behind only the Baltimore Ravens. Minnesota allows just 3.6 yards per rush to rank third in the league.
---
AP Pro Football Writer Dave Campbell contributed to this report.
---
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
S. Darnold
14 QB
72 FPTS
|
S. Darnold | 53/78 | 657 | 8 | 2 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Chandler
32 RB
15 FPTS
|
T. Chandler | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. Jones
33 RB
52 FPTS
|
A. Jones | 42 | 228 | 1 | 39 | 52 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Chandler
32 RB
15 FPTS
|
T. Chandler | 25 | 112 | 0 | 25 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Darnold
14 QB
72 FPTS
|
S. Darnold | 8 | 35 | 0 | 18 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Nailor
83 WR
35 FPTS
|
J. Nailor | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Mullens
12 QB
0 FPTS
|
N. Mullens | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Gaskin
37 RB
0 FPTS
|
M. Gaskin | 1 | -3 | 0 | -3 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Jefferson
18 WR
58 FPTS
|
J. Jefferson | 21 | 14 | 273 | 3 | 97 | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Nailor
83 WR
35 FPTS
|
J. Nailor | 9 | 7 | 106 | 3 | 26 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Jones
33 RB
52 FPTS
|
A. Jones | 14 | 12 | 97 | 1 | 20 | 52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Addison
3 WR
6 FPTS
|
J. Addison | 4 | 3 | 35 | 0 | 16 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Mundt
86 TE
13 FPTS
|
J. Mundt | 9 | 5 | 29 | 1 | 9 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Powell
4 WR
5 FPTS
|
B. Powell | 4 | 3 | 29 | 0 | 13 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Oliver
84 TE
4 FPTS
|
J. Oliver | 3 | 2 | 27 | 0 | 22 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Chandler
32 RB
15 FPTS
|
T. Chandler | 3 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 10 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Sherfield
11 WR
3 FPTS
|
T. Sherfield | 3 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 17 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Ham
30 FB
1 FPTS
|
C. Ham | 2 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
B. Murphy
7 CB
|
B. Murphy | 14-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Metellus
44 SAF
|
J. Metellus | 11-5 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Van Ginkel
43 OLB
|
A. Van Ginkel | 11-3 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Cashman
51 LB
|
B. Cashman | 11-12 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Bynum
24 SS
|
C. Bynum | 10-8 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Gilmore
23 CB
|
S. Gilmore | 10-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Smith
22 FS
|
H. Smith | 10-9 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Pace Jr.
0 LB
|
I. Pace Jr. | 9-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Greenard
58 LB
|
J. Greenard | 5-1 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Jones II
91 LB
|
P. Jones II | 5-6 | 4.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Griffin
1 CB
|
S. Griffin | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Turner
15 LB
|
D. Turner | 4-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Bullard
90 DE
|
J. Bullard | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Phillips
97 DT
|
H. Phillips | 3-5 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Grugier-Hill
54 OLB
|
K. Grugier-Hill | 2-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Jackson
25 DB
|
T. Jackson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Tillery
99 DT
|
J. Tillery | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Redmond
61 DL
|
J. Redmond | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Richter
98 LB
|
B. Richter | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Asamoah
2 LB
|
B. Asamoah | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Taimani
94 DL
|
T. Taimani | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
W. Reichard
46 K
27 FPTS
|
W. Reichard | 5/5 | 58 | 10/10 | 25 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Jacobs
8 RB
30 FPTS
|
J. Jacobs | 62 | 278 | 0 | 34 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Willis
2 QB
41 FPTS
|
M. Willis | 12 | 114 | 1 | 29 | 41 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Wilson
31 RB
22 FPTS
|
E. Wilson | 21 | 105 | 0 | 18 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Reed
11 WR
47 FPTS
|
J. Reed | 5 | 89 | 1 | 33 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Lloyd
32 RB
2 FPTS
|
M. Lloyd | 6 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Melton
80 WR
0 FPTS
|
B. Melton | 2 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brooks
35 RB
0 FPTS
|
C. Brooks | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Reed
11 WR
47 FPTS
|
J. Reed | 14 | 10 | 197 | 1 | 70 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Doubs
87 WR
20 FPTS
|
R. Doubs | 12 | 8 | 130 | 0 | 39 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Watson
9 WR
18 FPTS
|
C. Watson | 7 | 5 | 80 | 1 | 37 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Kraft
85 TE
12 FPTS
|
T. Kraft | 8 | 6 | 77 | 0 | 29 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Wilson
31 RB
22 FPTS
|
E. Wilson | 5 | 4 | 37 | 1 | 30 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Wicks
13 WR
11 FPTS
|
D. Wicks | 9 | 3 | 26 | 1 | 14 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Jacobs
8 RB
30 FPTS
|
J. Jacobs | 4 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 11 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Musgrave
88 TE
2 FPTS
|
L. Musgrave | 4 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Lloyd
32 RB
2 FPTS
|
M. Lloyd | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
Q. Walker
7 LB
|
Q. Walker | 16-7 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. McDuffie
58 LB
|
I. McDuffie | 12-7 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Nixon
25 DB
|
K. Nixon | 11-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Alexander
23 CB
|
J. Alexander | 10-1 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Bullard
20 SAF
|
J. Bullard | 10-6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. McKinney
29 SAF
|
X. McKinney | 9-3 | 0.0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Wyatt
95 DT
|
D. Wyatt | 6-1 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Stokes
21 CB
|
E. Stokes | 6-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Wilson
45 LB
|
E. Wilson | 5-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Smith
91 DE
|
P. Smith | 5-2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Clark
97 NT
|
K. Clark | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Van Ness
90 DE
|
L. Van Ness | 4-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Brooks
94 DT
|
K. Brooks | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Cooper
56 LB
|
E. Cooper | 3-4 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Gary
52 DE
|
R. Gary | 2-3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Williams
33 SAF
|
E. Williams | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Enagbare
55 DE
|
K. Enagbare | 1-4 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Slaton
93 DT
|
T. Slaton | 1-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Valentine
24 DB
|
C. Valentine | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
B. Narveson
44 K
33 FPTS
|
B. Narveson | 9/11 | 47 | 6/6 | 33 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |