The Green Bay Packers couldn’t overcome a two-score deficit in the first half and a three-score deficit in the second half and lost 24-10 to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Another slow start and failed opportunities late doomed the Packers again. Matt LaFleur’s team has now lost four straight games and is 2-5 to start the 2023 season.
Here’s what went right, what went wrong, what it means and what’s next for the Packers after Sunday’s loss:
Veteran edge rusher Preston Smith broke up a pass in the end zone while dropping in coverage, tallied a pair of sacks, stripped Kirk Cousins for a takeaway and produced a game-high four quarterback hits.
— The Packers held the Vikings to just 62 rushing yards on 31 attempts. Running backs Alexander Mattison and Cam Akers combined for 50 yards on 25 carries.
— Rookie Jayden Reed caught a pair of passes gaining 30 or more yards. The Packers’ second-round pick finished with a career-high 83 yards and now has a catch of 30 or more yards or a touchdown catch in six of his first seven NFL games.
— Given a second opportunity after doinking a 35-yard field goal attempt, rookie Anders Carlson connected on a 30-yarder as time expired in the first half.
The Packers were penalized 11 times for 99 yards, a season-high. The Vikings gained four first downs via penalty. At several points in the first half, the Packers had as much as three times as many penalty yards total yards.
— The Vikings converted on 11 third or fourth down opportunities, including eight conversions on 3rd-and-8 or longer.
— The Packers didn’t pick up a first down on offense until over 25 minutes of game time elapsed, and the offense went into half time with only three points and fewer than 100 total yards. Green Bay went three-and-out and punted on three straight possessions to open the contest.
— After cutting the Vikings’ lead to 24-10, the Packers had the ball three times in Minnesota territory but didn’t score a single point. Twice, the Packers had 1st-and-10 at the 15-yard line. All three possessions ended on downs. Green Bay was 1-for-4 scoring touchdowns in the red zone.
— The Vikings finished with only 24 points but Greg Joseph missed a field goal and had another field goal blocked. The final could have been 30-10.
— The Packers couldn’t catch the football. There were at least 10 drops or failed contested catch situations. The Vikings, meanwhile, had three players (K.J. Osborn, TJ Hockenson and Jordan Addison) with at least six catches, 80 yards and one catch of 20 or more yards.
— Aaron Jones had just 11 touches for 46 yards. Christian Watson caught only three passes for 33 yards.
— Jordan Love threw an interception for the fifth straight game. He had another near interception and also fumbled once on a sack.
— The Packers were 6-for-18 on third or fourth down.
— A.J. Dillon turned six rushes into just 11 yards, and seven of his yards came on one carry. Love led the team with 34 rushing yards.
— Linebacker Quay Walker dropped an interception attempt in the first quarter.
— Romeo Doubs turned nine targets into four catches and 18 receiving yards. Love’s 12 targets to Doubs and Watson produced only 61 passing yards.
— Time of possession: Vikings, 36:22. Packers, 23:38.
What it means
The Packers are going into the trade deadline at 2-5 and losers of four straight games. Will Brian Gutekunst be a seller come Tuesday? Maybe the Packers want to see this through with the current cast in hopes of getting the best possible evaluation for 2024, but this season — and any early optimism regarding contention for a playoff spot — is slipping away fast. The Packers have lost two straight games at Lambeau Field and are one incredible fourth-quarter comeback away from a one-win start. “Growing together” sounded nice in theory but the reality of the idea is playing out in difficult fashion for the 2023 Packers. This team looks headed for a high pick in the 2024 draft.
What’s next
The Packers will welcome the Los Angeles Rams (3-4) to Lambeau Field in Week 9. The Rams lost 43-20 to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and have now lost three of the last four games. Also, quarterback Matthew Stafford left the contest with a thumb injury on his throwing hand. The Packers beat the Rams 24-12 in Green Bay last season. If Stafford doesn’t play, Matt LaFleur’s team should have a good opportunity to snap the losing streak, but there is no such thing as a layup game for this Packers team.
