Minnesota Vikings Best and Worst: Week 16 vs. Green Bay Packers

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 23: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) is tackled after gaining a first down against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the game on December 23, 2019 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 23: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) is tackled after gaining a first down against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the game on December 23, 2019 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 23: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) was sacked by Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (Photo by Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

The worst thing – Time of possession

The Minnesota Vikings had 13 possessions in this game. Considering that, fans would think there were quite a few yards and a high-scoring output from both squads. However, that was far from the case in Week 16 against the Packers.

First of all, the Vikings only picked up seven first downs during the entirety of the game. When comparing that against 22 for the Packers, it becomes even more shameful. Even worse, only ONE of Minnesota’s first downs came on the ground.

Minnesota only converted four of their 15 third-down attempts and none of their two fourth-down tries. That means the Vikings had SEVENTEEN tries to pick up a first down on third or fourth down and only converted FOUR TIMES.

That ineptitude led to an insanely lopsided time of possession. Green Bay dominated that statistic by a 37:32 to 22:28 mark, giving the Packers the ball for more than a full quarter than the Vikings were on offense.

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