Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings: Second quarter recap and third quarter discussion

We’re at halftime at U.S. Bank Stadium, and it’s falling apart quickly for the Minnesota Vikings, as they trail the Green Bay Packers by a score of 22-10.

The Vikings finished the first quarter with a 7-3 lead, but the Packers were threatening and pushed all the way down to the Minnesota 1-yard line. A run that had been called a touchdown for Aaron Jones was reversed on review, and the Packers went for it on 4th-and-goal from the 1. The Packers tried to run a quick slant to Davante Adams, but the ball was knocked away by Holton Hill to keep Green Bay out of the end zone!

But, the celebration was short-lived, as the Vikings gave up a safety just two plays later when Jaire Alexander blitzed off the right side untouched and sacked Kirk Cousins in the end zone. That made the score 7-5 in favor of Minnesota.

Following the safety, the Packers took the lead back courtesy of a 43-yard field goal from Mason Crosby, giving us the unusual score of 8-7 midway through the second quarter.

Minnesota went three-and-out on their next possession courtesy of Cousins getting sacked by Za’Darius Smith, and once again Green Bay moved the ball down the field into Minnesota territory. After the two-minute warning, the Vikings decided not to cover Davante Adams again, and the Packers took advantage with Aaron Rodgers finding him for a 24-yard touchdown. Crosby connected on the extra point, and the Packers took a 15-7 lead.

Following an interception from Cousins on the ensuing drive, the Packers took advantage as Rodgers found Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 45-yard score. Crosby hit the extra point again, and just like that the score was 22-7 in favor of the Packers.

The Vikings did manage a few more points before the half, as the offense got into position for a 35-yard field goal from Dan Bailey to cut the lead to 22-10 going into the locker room.

It’s tough to score points when you don’t have the football, and thus far Kirk Cousins has thrown four passes. Two of them were complete to Adam Thielen for 32 yards, one was incomplete, and one was the interception that set up the Packers’ final touchdown.

The run game hasn’t done much, either. Dalvin Cook has six carries for 18 yards and a touchdown, while Alexander Mattison has two carries for 13 yards. That’s been it for the Minnesota offense.

The Vikings have had the football for just a shade over seven minutes in this one, while the Packers have had it for nearly 23 minutes. That’s not really a winning formula. Perhaps things will reverse in the second half, but if the Vikings don’t start covering Davante Adams and getting a few stops. . .the Packers have yet to punt in this one. . .it will likely be more of the same.

We’re at halftime at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the Vikings trail the Packers by a score of 22-10. Come join us for the second half of play!