Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers: Third Quarter Open Thread

To start the second quarter of play at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers converted a first down in their own territory at the 26-yard line. Fortunately, the Minnesota Vikings kept them from advancing beyond that, as Tom Johnson and Harrison Smith combined to sack Aaron Rodgers on third down to stop the Packers' drive. Tim Masthay came on to punt, and the Vikings got a break as Marcus Sherels fumbled on the return, but the ball bounced out of bounds, allowing the Vikings to keep possession. The fumble went backwards, however, meaning the Vikings had to start at their own 16-yard line.

It looked like the Vikings might go three-and-out again, but Teddy Bridgewater found Mike Wallace. . .yeah, Mike Wallace. . .for a big 25-yard gain on third down to move the chains to the 40-yard line. However, the drive stalled after Teddy Bridgewater was sacked by Julius Peppers, the first sack for Green Bay on the evening. Jeff Locke came in once again, and put the Packers at their own 19-yard line with his punt.

The Vikings' defense blistered the Packers on their next drive, dropping Lacy for a two-yard loss and blowing up a screen play to Lacy for a loss of seven more. The Packers did pick up 14 on third down, but they still had to bring Masthay in to punt again. Sherels got a decent return on the punt, and the Vikings started with their best field position of the night at their own 43-yard line.

Minnesota quickly got into Green Bay territory, as Bridgewater found Adam Thielen for a 16-yard gain to the Green Bay 41. Bridgewater then found Jerick McKinnon for a 15-yard gain to the Packers' 26, and a personal foul penalty on Clay Matthews moved the ball down to the Packers' 11-yard line. However, Matthews redeemed himself a bit, sacking Bridgewater on third down and forcing another Blair Walsh field goal attempt. Walsh connected from 32 yards out, and the Vikings went back on top, 6-3.

Walsh's next kickoff wound up as another touchback, and the Packers started at their own 20-yard line with just under three minutes left in the half. Rodgers found Davante Adams for a big gain to the 44-yard line on the first play of the drive, and after the two-minute warning the Packers got a pass interference call on Terence Newman to move them into Minnesota territory. Eric Kendricks snuffed out the Packers' attempt on third down, and the Packers went for it. They were unable to convert on fourth down, and the Vikings got the ball back at the Minnesota 40-yard line.

Bridgewater found McKinnon for a quick gain to midfield, but the drive stalled out, and the two teams went into the locker room with the Vikings holding a 6-3 lead.

As you'd expect in a 6-3 football game, neither team is exactly tearing up the stat sheet. So far, Bridgewater has completed 7-of-15 passes for 80 yards. The Packers have done a good job against Adrian Peterson again, as the NFL's rushing champ has carried the ball 11 times for 30 yards. Jerick McKinnon is leading the Vikings in receiving with three catches for 33 yards in the first half.

For the Packers, Aaron Rodgers has completed 10-of-14 attempts for just 71 yards. Eddie Lacy is leading the Packers in rushing with 26 yards on eight carries, and Richard Rodgers is leading the Packers in receiving with three receptions for 26 yards.

It's been a low-scoring, smashmouth affair at Lambeau Field so far, with the Minnesota Vikings leading the Green Bay Packers at halftime by a score of 6-3. Green Bay will get the ball coming out of the locker room at halftime. Can the Vikings get something going and get themselves a victory in this one?