Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers: Third Quarter Open Thread

Trailing the Green Bay Packers by a score of 14-3, the Minnesota Vikings had a 3rd-and-9 from the Packers’ 32 to start the quarter. They converted the first down on a pass from Sam Bradford to Jerick McKinnon, but a penalty of Jeremiah Sirles pushed them back 15 yards. Bradford then found Kyle Rudolph for a 21-yard connection that moved the Vikings inside the Green Bay red zone at the 16. A pass to Stefon Diggs had the Vikings facing 4th-and-2 from the Green Bay 8, and Mike Zimmer elected to call on Kai Forbath once again. He connected from 26 yards, and cut the deficit to 14-6.

The kickoff from Forbath resulted in a touchback, giving the Packers the ball at their own 25-yard line. The Packers’ offense cooled off on the possession, as a third down pass from Aaron Rodgers bounced off the hands of Ty Montgomery, resulting in a three-and-out for the Green Bay offense. Jake Schum came on to punt, and Marcus Sherels called for the fair catch at the Minnesota 24-yard line.

Bradford got the drive started for the Vikings with a 16-yard pass to Charles Johnson to pick up a first down to the 40. Then, two plays later, Nick Easton had a bad snap back to Bradford, and the Packers recovered the fumble at the Minnesota 42-yard line. It was truly an awful snap by Easton, as the ball never actually appeared to get off the ground, and the Packers were set up with good field position.

The Packers didn’t take long to take advantage, as Rodgers once again found Jordy Nelson for a 33-yard gain to the Minnesota 9, and then Rodgers scrambled down to the 2. Rodgers and Nelson finished off the drive with another score, as they connected on a 2-yard touchdown pass, and the Vikings were down 21-6 after the turnover.

Minnesota started their next possession at the 25 after a touchback by Mason Crosby. On the second play of the drive, Bradford found the Vikings’ hero of the afternoon for a huge play, as Adam Thielen got into the end zone on a huge 71-yard touchdown pass. It was the Vikings’ longest play from scrimmage on the season, and it kept the Vikings in the game at 21-13 with half the second quarter remaining.

After a penalty, the Packers started their next possession down at their own 6-yard line. Rodgers and company managed a couple of first downs, and in four plays got themselves out to their own 31. However, back-to-back sacks of Rodgers by Danielle Hunter and Eric Kendricks stopped the Packers, and Schum came on to punt again. After the fair catch by Sherels, the Vikings started out at their own 39, and then a run by Matt Asiata got them to the 48 at the two-minute warning.

Asiata got the ball to the 50 after the two-minute warning for a first down. Bradford then found Asiata for 9 more yards into Green Bay territory at the 41. Unfortunately, T.J. Clemmings then decided to do T.J. Clemmings things, as he allowed Clay Matthews to come around the edge for a strip-sack of Bradford that the Packers recovered at their own 46-yard line with 54 seconds left on the clock.

Green Bay wasted little time, as Aaron Rodgers found Geronimo Allison for a 32-yard gain to the Minnesota 22, and then Nelson picked up 14 more yards to move Green Bay down to the Minnesota 6. Rodgers capped the drive on his own, running it in from six yards out for his fourth touchdown of the afternoon (three passing, one rushing) to make the score 28-13, and that’s how they went into the locker room.locker room.

For the Vikings, Bradford has played a decent game, as he’s completed 13-of-20 passes in the first quarter for 231 yards and a touchdown. Adam Thielen has been the big offensive star for the Vikings to this point, as he’s caught six passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. He now leads the Vikings in receiving yards on the season. The Vikings’ leading rusher is Matt Asiata, with 25 yards on five carries.

For the Packers, Rodgers is absolutely lighting the Vikings’ defense up, as he’s completed 19-of-22 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to his rushing touchdown at the end of the second quarter. Jordy Nelson has been the primary weapon for Rodgers thus far, as he’s caught seven passes for 145 yards and two scores. Ty Montgomery is leading Green Bay in rushing with 21 yards on seven carries.

We’re at halftime at Lambeau Field, and the Minnesota Vikings trail the Green Bay Packers by a score of 28-13. We’re here for the third quarter of play, folks. . .come and join us if you have a bit.