Minnesota Vikings defeat the Green Bay Packers, win the NFC North

The Minnesota Vikings tried to give it away, but they left Green Bay with a victory and an NFC North Championship.

It was a weird game. At times it looked like neither team really wanted to win, but the Vikings eventually pulled away and then held off an Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay comeback. The Vikings won the game 20-13 and in the process won the NFC North.

It was just a trio of field goals in the first half in the scoring column. Blair Walsh hit a couple of 30-some yarders and Mason Crosby hit a 28-yard kick to go to half time at a 6-3 score.

The Vikings scored their two touchdowns in the third quarter of the game. Adrian Peterson pushed his way into the end zone for a three yard touchdown run in the opening minutes of the half to give the Vikings a 13-3 lead. With 4:42 left in the quarter, Aaron Rodgers was hit and fumbled the ball which resulted in a 55 yard recovery scamper by Captain Munnerlyn for a touchdown. The Vikings had a 20-3 lead, but, of course, the Packers made a comeback.

In the opening moments of the fourth, Aaron Rodgers hit Richard Rodgers with a 16 yard touchdown to pull within 10. Mason Crosby hit another field goal with 5:39 left to cut it to seven, but that would be the last score of the game, but it wasn’t the end of the excitement. Cordarrelle Patterson was in the midst of a really good kickoff return, but was then stopped by Mason Crosby who masterfully stripped the ball which was recovered by Green Bay.

The big stars of Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson didn’t look absolutely great on Sunday night, but they didn’t look horrible either. Bridgewater missed some deep throws and made the mistake of trying to throw with his left hand which resulted in an interception, but it wasn’t a horrible game from the second year QB. Bridgewater finished going 10/19 for 99 yards with one interception.

Adrian Peterson was put into the game only needing to stay in the positive yardage to be crowned the rushing king of the year. Peterson did that with 67 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Peterson did leave the game for a spell due to back spasms, but did return and said during the postgame they wouldn’t be an issue in the playoffs.

Adam Thielen had an impressive game running for as many yards as Peterson on just two carries. One of those carries came on a fake punt early in the first quarter that went for over 40 yards. Thielen hurt his shoulder on special teams and did not return to the game.

Jerick McKinnon also showed that he could be a great weapon for the Vikings going into the playoffs. McKinnon had three catches for 33 yards and rushed for 15 yards on four carries. The Vikings need to find more ways to get him the ball.