MINNEAPOLIS (KELO) — The Minnesota Vikings jumped out to a 20-3 lead and held off the Green Bay Packers 27-25 for a season sweep to keep their hopes of the No. 1 seed in the NFC alive at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday afternoon.
After Green Bay took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, Minnesota scored three times in the second to take a 13-3 lead into halftime. Sam Darnold hit Jalen Nailor for a 31-yard TD early in the quarter to give the Vikings their first lead. Will Reichard booted a 25-yard field goal followed by a 50-yard FG as time expired. He finished the game 2-for-4 on field goal attempts.
Darnold hit Jordan Addison for an 18-yard TD strike on the opening drive of the third to cap off a nine-play, 70-yard drive. After Josh Jacobs pulled the Packers back within 10 with a two-yard touchdown run, Darnold connected with Cam Akers in the final minute of the quarter to push the lead back to 17 at 27-10.
The Green Bay offense came to life midway through the fourth. Emanuel Wilson rushed it in from five yards out. The Pack added a successful two-point conversion to cut the deficit to nine. They found the endzone again on a Love pass to Malik Heath with 2:18 to play to make it a two-point game.
On the ensuing possession, Darnold hit C.J. Ham for one first down and then iced the game with a third-and-two conversion to Akers.
Darnold threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns on 33-for-43 passing. Justin Jefferson hauled in eight catches for 92 yards. Nailor caught all five of his targets to 81 yards and one score. Addison tallied 69 yards and one TD.
The Vikings outgained the Packers 441-271. Jordan Love was limited to just 185 yards on 19-of-30 passing.
Minnesota (14-3) is the first team in the NFC to reach 14 wins this season. It will take on the Detroit Lions next Sunday with the NFC North division title and top seed in the conference on the line. Green Bay (11-5) will close out the regular season at home against the Chicago Bears.
