Minnesota Vikings v. Packers: 5 best games of past 20 years
By Dan Zinski
Nov 24, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes with the football as Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31) chases from behind during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
2. December 30, 2012
The Vikings weren’t expected to do much in 2012 but Adrian Peterson had different ideas.
The surprising Vikings, led by 2000-yard back Peterson, went into the final game of the regular season, a home match-up against the Packers, needing a win to clinch a Wild Card playoff berth.
Adrian Peterson went into the game needing 208 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record.
There was plenty on the line for the Packers too: A win and they would clinch a first round bye in the playoffs.
The Vikings came out like the more motivated team, scoring the first 13 points of the game on two field goals and a Peterson TD.
Greg Jennings caught a TD pass from Aaron Rodgers to make it 13-7 but the Vikings got it right back on a Christian Ponder TD pass to Jarius Wright.
The Packers got close again on a third quarter TD pass from Rodgers to Jennings but again the Vikings had an answer, a two-yard TD pass from Ponder to Peterson.
The Vikings were looking good up 10 at home but the Packers made that lead go away on a James Jones TD pass from Rodgers followed by a Mason Crosby FG.
Minnesota took the lead back in the fourth when Ponder found Michael Jenkins for a three-yard touchdown but again their advantage was short-lived. Green Bay tied the game at 34 on a TD from Rodgers to Nelson.
It all came down to the two-minute drill for Minnesota and thanks to some soft defense by the Packers they were able to drive down and end it on a Ryan Longwell field goal.
Peterson finished the game just 9 yards shy of Dickerson’s record. The Packers and Vikings would meet again a week later in the playoffs and the Packers would spank Minnesota in Green Bay with backup QB Joe Webb in for the Vikes.
But the Packers’ season would end in disappointment a week later when Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers ate them up.