The Packers Earn Win At Home Against a Divisional Opponent
The Green Bay Packers returned home in Week 12 looking to regain momentum against division rival Minnesota Vikings, despite entering the matchup without key players Josh Jacobs, Matthew Golden, and Quay Walker. Early in the game, the Vikings, led by former Packer Aaron Jones, moved quickly into Green Bay territory and struck first with a 52-yard field goal to go up 3–0. The Packers responded early on offense as Jordan Love connected with Christian Watson for a first down near midfield, followed by a deep pass interference call that kept the drive alive. Dontayvion Wicks then fought for 18 yards down to the one-yard line, setting up Emanuel Wilson’s touchdown run and a 7–3 lead. The defense followed with strong pressure, highlighted by Isaiah McDuffie’s key stop that forced a Vikings punt, pinning Green Bay at its own two-yard line. Though Love briefly moved the offense out of danger, a third-and-long sack ended the drive, and the Packers soon suffered another setback with cornerback Keisean Nixon left with an injury and did not return to the game.
The second quarter began with Minnesota threatening again, but Green Bay’s defense stepped up, stopping the Vikings on both third-and-one and fourth-and-one from Kingsley Enagbare’s strong movement at the line. With the ball back, Wilson continued to dominate the ground game, recording multiple first downs and pushing the Packers into scoring position. Romeo Doubs added his first catch of the afternoon before Brandon McManus nailed a 32-yard field goal to extend the Packers’ lead to 10–3 with two minutes left in the half. Minnesota managed to strike back when Justin Jefferson hauled in a deep pass, setting up a late 58-yard field goal to make it 10–6 heading into the locker room. Green Bay opened the third quarter with more steady play calling, but a stalled drive led to a punt that turned into the key moment of the game. When the ball bounced off a Vikings player and was recovered by the Packers at the five. Wilson capitalized immediately with his second touchdown, pushing the lead to 17–6. The defense continued its dominance, with Micah Parsons, Devonte Wyatt, and others delivering sacks that took over Minnesota’s offense.
Green Bay was in full control going into the fourth quarter as Wilson broke the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career, helping the Packers set up another McManus field goal for a 20–6 lead. The defense stayed hungry, forcing yet another Vikings punt and handing the offense strong field position at the Minnesota 40-yard line. McManus added his third field goal of the day to extend the advantage to 23–6 with eight minutes remaining. Any hope of a Minnesota comeback was crushed when Rashan Gary forced an interception that McDuffie secured, followed shortly by another pick from Evan Williams. Williams ended the game last week with an interception. With the game well in hand, backup quarterback Malik Willis entered for the final minutes as Green Bay ran down the clock. The Packers closed out the dominant divisional win 23–6, improving to 7-3-1 on the season and strengthening their push toward the postseason.
