Give the Vikings credit, they made things a lot more interesting today than a lot of people expected.
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The offensive juggernaut Packers came into TCF Bank Stadium and found the sledding tougher than they have in recent weeks. Minnesota’s defense held Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing game in check for much of the day, but unfortunately did not get enough help from their offense.
Teddy Bridgewater was shaky in the first half for the Vikings, missing several open receivers and throwing a huge interception on an ill-advised pass. That pick would prove to be the key play of the half as the Packers immediately turned it into seven points.
The Vikings needed a big offensive push in the second half to steal the game from Green Bay, and though they did finally get things going, it was too late to make a difference.
The Packers scored their third TD of the day on a shovel pass from Aaron Rodgers to Eddie Lacy, a play set up by a Rodgers first down scramble after a failed Vikings blitz.
Mike Zimmer’s decision to roll the dice on that blitz was in many ways the key play of the second half. Had the Vikings gotten to Rodgers and forced either a field goal or a punt, the game might have had a different outcome.
As it was, the Vikings were still able to fight back to make it a three point game with under four minutes left. Teddy Bridgewater led the Vikings on a five minute scoring drive ending in a TD pass to Greg Jennings followed up with a two point conversion to Charles Johnson.
Bridgewater showed his usual poise in the clutch. If he could only start out games looking as focused and confident as he does in late game situations the Vikings might have something.
Though Bridgewater’s final stats were okay, the game still left the rookie with a lot of questions to answer, mostly about his deep accuracy.
On the encouraging side of things, it does appear that Bridgewater has found a viable target in Charles Johnson. Joe Banyard also showed some value as a receiver out of the backfield.
It’s hard to be satisfied with a 24-21 loss to the Packers, but considering some of the games the Vikings have played against Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers in recent years, to lose by only three at home feels like a step forward.
You have to say this: the Vikings secondary did hold up well against Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers may have gotten the job done in the end but he did not tear it up like had been doing.