Vikings pack a wallop; bad break for Rodgers
MINNEAPOLIS — Aaron Rodgers has engineered many a last-minute comeback for the Green Bay Packers. He has a dozen victories over the rival Minnesota Vikings in 10 years as the starter.
This time? No chance. Rodgers was long gone, and so was Green Bay’s division lead.
Harrison Smith led the Minnesota defense’s thorough dismantling of the Packers, who lost Rodgers to a broken collarbone and left with a 23-10 defeat to the Vikings on Sunday that transformed the trajectory of the NFC North race.
Smith had 11⁄2 sacks on safety blitzes, a diving interception and two pass breakups, helping the Vikings (4-2) limit the injury-depleted Packers to a season-low 227 yards.
Anthony Barr, who later left with a concussion, delivered the game-changing hit on Green Bay’s second drive when he took Rodgers hard to the turf as the two-time NFL MVP followed through on a pass. Rodgers fell on his throwing shoulder, and the Packers (4-2) announced he could miss the remainder of the season.
Brett Hundley threw his first career touchdown pass in relief, connecting with Davante Adams in the second quarter after a 63-yard return by Clay Matthews of Jerick McKinnon’s fumble gave the Packers the ball at the 18.
Damarious Randall’s interception of Case Keenum later in the first half gave the Packers a prime opportunity to tie the score, but a juggling catch by Ty Montgomery at the goal line was ruled incomplete by replay review reversal that forced a short field goal instead and kept the Vikings in front 14-10.
The Packers had five first downs and 102 yards over the first three quarters.
Now the Packers turn to Hundley, who has 44 attempts in three seasons and was picked off three times and sacked four times Sunday. He finished 18 for 33 for 157 yards.
“I love Aaron to death. I let him know I love him and I’ve got him,” Hundley said.