5 takeaways from Packers’ loss to Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS – The Packers fell approach behind after which rallied late, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient in a 27-25 defeat to the Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Financial institution Stadium.

Listed below are 5 takeaways from the robust loss:

1. One other case of too little, too late.

As a result of the Vikings, after the Packers scored two touchdowns for 15 factors to chop a 17-point deficit to 2, obtained two first downs to expire the clock.

The second was transformed on a third-and-3, the Packers’ final likelihood to get the ball again, and QB Sam Darnold floated a move within the flat that working again Cam Akers caught above his shoetops whereas falling backwards.

The Vikings went into victory formation and the comeback went for naught.

“Our guys proceed to battle and scratch and claw, however we simply cannot put ourselves in a gap like that,” Head Coach Matt LaFleur stated. “It took too lengthy to get going offensively, and that was the consequence.”

2. The miscues that created the deficit had been many.

A fumble on the sport’s opening drive, a failed fourth down in scoring territory, two unlawful formation flags that worn out first downs, a 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty, and an offside on a missed area purpose that gave the Vikings one other crack on the kick on the ultimate play of the primary half … all of it added as much as a irritating afternoon and, ultimately, an excessive amount of to beat.

LaFleur clearly disagreed with one of many unlawful formation calls, in addition to the offside on the sector purpose, however to no avail. These occurred on back-to-back possessions late within the first half that helped finish a Inexperienced Bay drive and provides Minnesota three factors for a 13-3 lead at intermission. The deficit then obtained worse when the Vikings scored a TD to open the second half.

“I am not going to make excuses for it,” LaFleur stated of the flags. “They noticed it in another way.”

3. The protection’s incapability to generate a move rush made life troublesome.

Inexperienced Bay’s protection was already shorthanded within the secondary as a result of accidents after which misplaced security Zayne Anderson to a concussion early from a deal with on kickoff protection.

The thinning depth within the again finish wasn’t helped by a move rush that struggled to get to Darnold, who was not often pressured and sacked simply as soon as in 43 move makes an attempt. He accomplished an environment friendly 33 for 377 yards and three TDs, with one INT, for a 116.1 ranking, producing a number of huge positive factors downfield.

“You have to get stress on these guys if they are going to drop again that many occasions,” LaFleur stated. “When you do not, it should be an extended day.

“They have quite a lot of weapons.”

Certainly, on a day the Packers stopped the Vikings’ floor sport for probably the most half (23 carries for 72 yards, not together with kneel-downs), 4 move catchers every compiled 68 or extra yards for Darnold, led by Justin Jefferson with eight catches for 92 yards.