3 winners and 5 losers from Minnesota Vikings’ improbable 39-22 win over Green Bay Packers
If you would have told me in the first half that the Minnesota Vikings would have won by double digits, I would have laughed at you.
It was an insane game for the Minnesota Vikings.
After losing quarterback Kyler Murray just 11 offensive plays into the game, the Vikigns got down 19-10 at halftime and looked dead in the water. Ultimately, they figured it out in the second half and scored 22 points in the four quarter to win 37-22.
The game overall was a roller coaster of emotions and vibes for a multitude of reasons. Within this reverse Enron ride the Vikings just went on, there are more losers than winners.
Loser: Kevin O’Connell
This offseason, the Vikings made a calculated bet that Kyler Murray was going to be the guy this season over J.J. McCarthy. Unfortunately, 11 plays into the season, Murray was hit by two Packers defenders, and suffered a concussion.
It wasn’t going well for Murray to start off, throwing a bozo interception on his first throw. He finished 3-for-5 for 18 yards, along with nine rushing yards. Even so, the operation as a whole didn’t feel comfortable or cohesive. It likely would have gotten better over the course of the game, but they never got that chance.
Loser: ST Coordinator Matt Daniels
Last season, the biggest flaws on the team outside of the quarterback position was simple: special teams coverage units. Many blame the kick return coverage as the reason why the Vikings missed the playoffs. It continued on Sunday afternoon.
Bo Melton broke out a 59-yard return with a hole so big you could have driven a semi-truck through. The biggest flaw within the unit continues to show up, and it raises a lot of questions. Why wasn’t it fixed this offseason? It might feel like an overreaction, but it’s certainly not.
Plus, his field goal block unit was offsides in the fourth quarter, nearly costing the Vikings, but Brian Flores’ defense got the stop to bail them out.
Loser: Brian Flores’ 2-minute drill defense
Over the course of his tenure with the Vikings, the two-minute drill has been a struggle for Brian Flores’ defenses. They got better in 2025, but it still wasn’t great overall. This year, those struggles have resurfaced.
After Justin Jefferson caught a touchdown at the two-minute warning, the Packers went on a seven-play, 74-yard drive that ate up yards quickly thanks to Jordan Love’s ability to maneuver the pocket. Flores needs to figure some things out with his pressure packages against Love, because when the rush doesn’t get there, it’s brutal.
Loser: First half blitzes
Flores’ defense was not getting home with their pressure packages. Jordan Love was doing a great job maneuvering around the Vikings’ pressure. It allowed the Packers to gash the Vikings’ defense for multiple big plays, and they jumped out to a 19-10 lead. They desperately needed to have a halftime adjustment, and well, they got one.
Winner: Second half blitzes
Things improved greatly in the second half. With a quarterback like Love, sometimes all it takes is one sack to modify their pocket presence. That’s what seemed to happen, as they forced multiple turnovers by Love and it was the biggest reason why they won the game.
Winner: EDGE Dallas Turner
All offseason, the messaging surrounding Dallas Turner was that he was ready to take a huge leap forward. It made a lot of sense, as Turner has spent his first two seasons getting his body in a full fledged starting caliber form. Well, one game into him being a starter, Turner looks the part.
He was constantly in and around Jordan Love throughout the game, and was pivotal in forcing him off his spot. He also was moving with intent and explosion throughout the game. He got a sack on the drive right after the Vikings took the lead, and was pressuring Love on the strip sack by Andrew Van Ginkel, setting up a touchdown run by Jordan Mason to take a 10-point lead.
Loser: RG Will Fries
The offensive line wasn’t great overall throughout the game. They allowed both Murray and Carson Wentz to get attacked quickly in the pocket. Fries didn’t allow all of the pressures, but the Packers’ defensive line did drive him far into the backfield multiple times.
Going into the season, Fries was able to fully train for the season without having to rehab a broken leg like he did last year. Unfortunately, it’s looking more like the five great games of 2024 are more of a flash in the pan than what he projects to be.
Winner: WR Justin Jefferson
He’s the best wide receiver in football, simple as that.
