Minnesota Vikings (0-1) – Green Bay Packers (1-0) : 34-43
Led by an Aaron Rodgers (32/44, 364 yards, 4TD, 0 Int) of the big nights, the Packers ideally started their season on the ground of neighbor and rival Minnesota. Almost irresistible, especially in the long game, the grumpy Rodgers seems a distant memory for the green and gold. After a sluggish start, the Green Bay attack was incisive, in particular helped by a Davante Adams still as effective in providing a solution to his pitcher.
In the absence of Danielle Hunter, the Vikings were unable to put pressure on the opposing quarterback. And when Rodgers has time, it’s hard to stop him. The very young backfield of the Vikings paid the price.
The Packers monopolize the ball
Authors of a sluggish start to the match, the Packers especially struggled in red zone. With three trips for only 2 field goals, the ghosts of the 2019 moribund attack hovered over Matt LaFleur and his men during the first quarter. During this time, the Vikings scored on their 1st drive thanks to Dalvin Cook (12 races, 50 yards, 2 TDs).
But like last season, it was the defense that put Green Bay back in the game. After recovering the ball on his own goal line after a 4th failed attempt, Kirk Cousins (19/25, 259 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) saw Jaire Alexander swoop down on him and had to concede the safety. On the Vikings’ next possession, the defense forced a 3rd and out. It was then that Rodgers started his festival with a lavish pass for a touchdown from Devante Adams.
Aaron Rodgers is always magic ????????????????pic.twitter.com/P0bPsSHEY7
— TDActu.com – Actu NFL ???? (@TDActu) September 13, 2020
Weaned from balloons, the Vikings do not advance. While he has the opportunity to bring his family together, Cousins is intercepted by Jaire Alexander, again him. The double MVP did not ask for so much. 45-yard missile for Marques Valdez-Scantling. The Packers take off.
Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook keep the Vikings on hold
When we get back from the locker room, we take the same ones and start over. Unable to advance, the Vikings quickly returned the ball to visitors. An opportunity that Rodgers does not let pass to widen the gap. After a new bomb to Valdes-Scantling, it is once again Adams who ends up in goal (29-10).
But Mike Zimmer’s men are not giving up. Carried by an untenable Dalvin Cook, the Vikings finally perforate the opposing defense and return to the match thanks to Adam Thielen. A successful two-point conversion, the match seems to be restarted (29-18).
.@KirkCousins8 goes DEEP to @athielen19 for a @vikings TD!
????: #GBvsMIN on FOX
????: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/DTlgEUZamw pic.twitter.com/MUtl9HBq2F— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2020
Unfortunately for the Vikings, their defense can’t take it anymore. On the next drive, Rodgers goes up the field again and ends up finding Allen Lazard (36-18). Cousins and his family do not give up. There are holes in the defense led by Mike Pettine, and they take the opportunity to keep the flame alive. On a new touchdown from Cook and a new 2-point transformation, the gap is only 10 points (36-26).
But the Packers’ latest offensive drive is a model. 85 yards reassembled, the stopwatch running, series of races and small passes, the purple can do nothing and bow again, this time on a race by Aaron Jones.
Adam Thielen’s last touchdown in the last minute is rather anecdotal, mass is said. The Packers won for the second time in a row at US Bank Stadium and started their season in the best possible way.
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