Vikings hold off Packers to win NFC North title
Peterson helps Minnesota win at Lambeau Field for the first time since 2009.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Adrian Peterson ran for a touchdown and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn returned a fumble 55 yards for a score to help the Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers, 20-13, on Sunday night.
The Vikings, who earned their first division title since 2009, will host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in a wild-card playoff game. The Packers, who had won the NFC North four years in a row, will travel to Washington on Sunday.
The Vikings knocked away a pass by Aaron Rodgers in the end zone on fourth down as time expired to preserve the victory.
“Coming here, it was always a fight, a dogfight,” Peterson said.
It was his second title of the day — he also finished the season with his third career NFL rushing championship.
Only two years after finishing 5-10-1, Minnesota is back in the playoffs under second-year Coach Mike Zimmer.
“Did we get here faster? I don’t know. I have pretty high expectations,” Zimmer said. “I don’t know, maybe.”
Packers kicker Mason Crosby forced a fumble on Cordarrelle Patterson’s 70yard kickoff return with 5 minutes 21 seconds left. But the Packers’ next drive ended with Rodgers having a pass intercepted in the end zone by Xavier Rhodes.
The Vikings won at Lambeau Field for the first time since 2009.
Peterson had 67 yards in 19 carries. He gave the Vikings a scare after leaving midway through the third quarter because of a lowerback injury before returning late in the fourth quarter.
Teddy Bridgewater completed 10 of 19 passes for 99 yards for the Vikings.
The Packers scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including a 16-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers, and a 43-yard field goal by Crosby.
Aaron Rodgers finished 28 for 44 for 291 yards with a touchdown and an interception.