5. Hughes’ long kick return
Two drives into Sunday’s game and neither team’s offense was able to put points up on the board, yet the Packers led 7-0. That’s because Green Bay was able to block a Vikings punt near the end zone and recover it for a touchdown.
Following that disappointing play, Minnesota knew they needed to respond quickly before things ended up getting out of hand. So on the kickoff following the Packers’ touchdown, Vikings’ rookie cornerback Mike Hughes caught the football and returned it 46 yards the other way.
Momentum quickly shifted back in the direction of the Vikings as they began their second offensive drive of the afternoon in great field position on their own 43-yard line. A drive that eventually ended Minnesota scoring their first touchdown of the game when Laquon Treadwell caught (yes, he actually caught something on Sunday) a 14-pass in the end zone from Kirk Cousins.
That score might not have happened though if not for Hughes’ impressive return. The return also ended up being the Vikings’ best play on special teams on Sunday.