Packers lock up top seed in NFC playoffs with 37-10 blowout of Vikings

Green Bay now 13-3 with postseason bye to follow Week 18

 

GREEN BAY – The Packers secured the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs in a 37-10 runaway victory over the Vikings on Sunday night at Lambeau Field.

1. Jaire Alexander

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The Packers jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the second quarter and were never threatened in this one, as Vikings backup QB Sean Mannion was no match for Green Bay's defense. Mannion was playing in place of Kirk Cousins, who went on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers likely put the finishing touches on his fourth NFL MVP award by going 29-of-38 for 288 yards with two TDs for a 114.8 passer rating. WR Davante Adams had 11 catches for 136 yards and a score, breaking his own single-season franchise record for receptions in the process. WR Allen Lazard added six catches for 72 yards and a TD.

On the ground, RB AJ Dillon had 14 carries for 63 yards and two scores, while RB Aaron Jones added eight carries for 76 yards.

2. Vintage Packers

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For the Vikings, RB Dalvin Cook had just 13 yards on nine carries as the Packers' run defense had its best showing in several weeks. Mannion was 22-of-36 for 189 yards with a TD and 84.1 rating.
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Minnesota managed only 11 first downs, was 2-of-11 on third downs, and gained just 206 total yards to Green Bay's 481 yards.

Packers lead Vikings 3-0 after one

3. Green Bay Football

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Minnesota won the opening coin toss and deferred. Davante Adams converted both first downs on the Packers' opening series with a 19-yard catch down the sideline on second-and-8 from the Green Bay 27 and then a 30-yard pass on corner route to the Vikings' 17 after motioning from the backfield.

The Packers settled for a 35-yard Mason Crosby field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 11 minutes, 48 seconds left in the first quarter.

Sean Mannion's first pass was a completion to tight end Tyler Conklin. Head Coach Matt LaFleur was forced to use his first challenge on the play after officials didn't rule Conklin down by initial contact. The challenge saved 11 yards.

The Vikings went for it on fourth-and-3 from the Green Bay 47 but Mannion's play-action pass to C.J. Ham was incomplete with Preston Smith being credited with the pass defensed.

Aaron Jones broke a 27-yard run off left tackle on third down after AJ Dillon picked up eight yards on his first two carries. The Packers unsuccessfully went for it on fourth-and-2 at the Minnesota 11, with Aaron Rodgers' pass for Adams falling incompletion for the turnover on downs.

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