The Green Bay Packers remain in the NFC playoff picture, as they defeated their NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, 33-10, to move to 8-8 on the season.
The Packers were the No. 9 seed entering Sunday night on the outside, looking into the wild card situation with the Detroit Lions already winning the division. With the win, the Packers remain in the mix, while the Vikings, who had the same record heading into the matchup, are more on the outside looking in.
Rookie Jaren Hall started for the Vikings at quarterback, as head coach Kevin O’Connell moved away from Nick Mullens, who started the previous two games. But it was a move that didn’t work out in the Vikings’ favor.
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Jayden Reed #11 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Hall struggled to go 5-of-10 through the air for just 67 yards with an interception and a lost fumble. That led to Mullens starting the second half for Minnesota, but at that point, it was a big deficit to recover from as Jordan Love and the Packers quickly went to work in the first half.
Leading 3-0, the Packers took advantage of Hall’s interception with their first touchdown drive. It was only two plays, as Love had great field position and gave a strike to his rookie receiver, Jayden Reed, for a 33-yard touchdown.
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And Reed wasn’t done finding the end zone on this one. After Love found the end zone himself on a two-yard run early in the half, Reed used his blistering speed to go another 25 yards to burst into the end zone, fighting off tacklers in the process. .
He would leave the game early with a chest injury, but Reed led the Packers with 89 yards on six receptions.
The Packers also saw a Bo Melton touchdown on an impressive 91-yard drive in the third quarter, which Love orchestrated to perfection. Melton was wide open in the right back of the end zone for a nine-yard score on third-and-1 from the Minnesota nine-yard line.
Jaren Hall #16 of the Minnesota Vikings is pressured by Kenny Clark #97 of the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at US Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Love would finish the game 24 of 33 for 256 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, the exact performance head coach Matt LaFleur wanted to see from his new franchise quarterback.
It also helped that veteran running back Aaron Jones was setting the tone on the field for the Packers to open up everything else on offense. Jones had 120 rushing yards on 20 carries.
For the Vikings, Mullen went 13 of 22 for 113 yards with a touchdown pass to tight end Johnny Mundt to at least get the home team into the end zone. Justin Jefferson had five receptions for 59 yards (10 targets), although it was difficult for Minnesota to keep its offense going throughout the game.
Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)
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The Packers slightly hold their own destiny next week, as they will need to beat the Chicago Bears for a chance to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Vikings will need a lot to happen as they prepare to face the Lions for the final time of the year.
