In Kirk Cousins‘ first trip to Lambeau Field as a Viking, the new Minnesota Vikings quarterback put up a stat line that made his three-year, 84 million dollar deal look justified. After throwing for 425 yards and four touchdowns, the Vikings appeared poised to win a showdown with injured superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, several missed opportunities squandered a Vikings victory. After a missed 35-yard field goal by Vikings rookie kicker Daniel Carlson as time expired in overtime, the Vikings and Green Bay Packers tied for the third time in series history, 31-31. The game never should have gotten to that point, though, and is the highlight of the week two rivalry game.
Minnesota Vikings Tie Green Bay Packers Following Crucial Miscues
Blocked Punt Gives Packers Their First Lead
With 7:28 left in the first quarter, tied 0-0, Vikings punter Matt Wile lined up with his heels touching the end zone. As the ball was snapped, Packers receiver Geronimo Allison came rushing in for a blocked punt that was recovered by rookie cornerback Josh Jackson for a touchdown. Following a Mason Crosby extra point, the Packers were up 7-0 in a game where Rodgers was limited.
Momentum swung and for much of the rest of the game, it appeared the Vikings were trying to play catch-up. The crowd became a factor and the Packers were able to stick to a fairly conservative game-plan for the one-legged Rodgers. Unfortunately for Minnesota, the play was a carry-over from a poor preseason from the punting unit that even axed Ryan Quigley just before the season. The punt team will need to get things straight to avoid giving up free points on a defensive-minded team.
Treadwell’s Drops Almost Lost the Game
The 31-31 tie almost never was. Down 20-7 with 5:11 left in the third quarter on third-and-5, Cousins faced heavy pressure. Despite the rush, he had the awareness to flip the ball over the middle to a wide-open Laquon Treadwell. The ball had no zip on it, but Treadwell dropped the pass at the first-down marker. The Vikings would have to punt after a missed golden opportunity.
The play that fans will not forget any time soon came late in regulation. Down 26-21 with 2:13 left in the game, Cousins had a chance to lead his new team to a dramatic come-from-behind victory. On first down, he rifled a laser to Treadwell on a slant route. The pass was right in front of Treadwell, but the former first-round pick couldn’t corral the the ball as it deflected off of his hands. Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix snatched the tipped ball and helped set up a Packers field goal. Over the remaining 17 minutes, Treadwell didn’t see the field as Stacy Coley took most of his reps.
Carlson Misses Three Field Goals
Despite all of the miscues throughout the game, the Vikings’ best chance to win came on the right leg of their rookie kicker. Carlson pushed his first kick wide-right from 48 yards out with 1:42 left in the first half. Not only did the kick keep points off of the board in a 14-7 game, but the Packers were able to take over from their own 38-yard line. Five plays and 43 yards later, they kicked a field goal to extend their lead to 17-7.
Overtime was even worse for Carlson. After Crosby missed a 52-yarder at the end of the fourth quarter, the Vikings moved down the field to set up a 49-yard field goal for Carlson. A successful kick would have given the Vikings 34-31 lead that the defense could have sealed in the following drive. Instead, Carlson pushed that kick wide-right as well. The Vikings defense again had a short field to defend but was able to force a Packers punt.
On the final drive of the game, the Vikings again drove down the field. In seven plays, they marched 63 yards to the Packers’ 17-yard line. With the ball lined up in the middle of the field, Minnesota appeared content to let Carlson attempt to redeem himself. On the final play of overtime, however, Carlson again pushed his kick wide-right, this time from 35 yards away.
It was a disappointing ending to an exciting comeback in the series’ 116th match-up. Next week, the Vikings look to bounce back against the 0-2 Buffalo Bills. The Packers will face the 1-1 Washington Redskins.
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