Packers fall to Vikings 23-7

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (CBS 58) -- The Packers fall to the Vikings 23-7 to start the season.

Packers fans got to see their first glimpse of the Minnesota Vikings under newly-hired head coach Kevin O'Connell. Like Matt LaFleur, O'Connell comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, after spending 2020-2022 as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.

The Packers were without Allen Lazard, David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins for this game.

First Quarter:

To start the game, the Vikings marched down the field and scored on a 4th and short pass from Kirk Cousins to Justin Jefferson. The Packers defense struggled, and after the PAT, it was a 7-0 Vikings lead.

To open their offensive drive, Aaron Rodgers threw a deep wide open pass to rookie receiver Christian Watson, who dropped what could've likely been a touchdown on their first play.

Throughout the first quarter, it was more of the run game for the Packers' offense. Their only complete pass all quarter was to Randall Cobb.

Towards the end of the quarter, Rodgers was sacked by his former teammate Za'Darius Smith.

By the end of the first quarter, the Vikings had a 7-0 lead over the Packers.

Second Quarter:

For their first second quarter drive, the Packers offense slowly started to get back in the groove. They marched down the field, with plenty of action from Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon in the passing game. Despite that productive drive, once the Packers got to the goal line, they struggled to pound it in for six. They handed the ball off to Dillon but the Vikings were able to make the stop on 4th and goal.

The Vikings got the ball back and they didn't waste any time. The Packers' run defense continued to struggle and their secondary gave up a big 64-yard reception to Jefferson. He nearly scored his second touchdown of the half, but Jefferson's foot was just out of bounds in the endzone. Instead, Vikings kicker Greg Joseph made a 28-yard field goal to give the Vikings a 10-0 lead over the Packers.

Shortly before halftime, the Packers' secondary left Jefferson wide open again for a 36-yard touchdown. After the PAT, it was 17-0 Vikings.

After that drive, Rodgers threw a pass to Cobb that was picked off by Harrison Smith.

Heading into halftime, the Vikings had a 17-0 lead over the Packers. Jefferson had 158 of the 208 receiving yards for the Vikings.

Third Quarter:

To start the second half, the Vikings continued to be efficient on offense. Joseph continues to impress, as he nails a 56-yard field goal to make it 20-0 Vikings.

After that drive, the Packers marched down the field and Rodgers started to get more players involved on the offense. Dillon ran it in for a 2-yard touchdown. After the PAT, it was a 20-7 game. Some key players contributed on that drive, including rookies Watson, Romeo Doubs and offensive lineman Zack Tom. Oh yeah -- and another key block from Aaron Rodgers on his former teammate in Smith.

By the end of the third quarter, the Vikings had a 20-7 lead over the Packers.

Fourth Quarter:

Rodgers was sacked to start the fourth quarter by Danielle Hunter. After a big first-down gain by Doubs, it still wasn't enough to move the ball and score.

The Packers continued to give up big gains to Jefferson.

Joseph then kicked a 26-yard field goal to put the Vikings up 23-7 over the Packers.

Watson caught his second pass of the game after missing a key play early in the first quarter.

It was all Minnesota for this game.

The Packers head back home next week to take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.

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