5 drives that cost the Vikings a win over the Packers in Week 17

Drive No. 5

Kirk Cousins got the Vikings set up in Green Bay territory again after moving the pocket incredibly well and scrambling for 18 yards to the Packer 30-yard line.

A delay of game penalty backed Minnesota up to the Green Bay 35-yard line. A short pass and Justin Jefferson’s first catch of the game put the Vikings at 1st and 10 on the Green Bay 15-yard line.

A strip sack by Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark on Cousins would abruptly end another promising Vikings drive.

What is frustrating about this play, besides the turnover, is Minnesota has had success against this coverage before running a very similar play.

In Week 1 against the Packers, against their quarters coverage look, Cousins dropped the ball down in the flat to a wide-open Jefferson for a big gain.

The Packers gave Minnesota the same look here, with Jefferson being wide open in the flat again after Thielen lifted the defense on a go route. Unfortunately, Cousins got off his read to Jefferson too early, and the ball got stripped. Dropping it down again to Jefferson would have resulted in another big gain for the Vikings.

A frustrating loss for sure, but the biggest part of the season has yet to come. Minnesota has done enough this season to ensure their first playoff game will be at home at U.S. Bank Stadium. A matchup with the Chicago Bears will conclude the Vikings’ 2022 regular season on Sunday.