The Green Bay Packers were unable to overcome a barrage of self-inflicted errors on offense and an injury-riddled pass defense that got shredded by Sam Darnold in a 27-25 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
The Packers scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and needed one stop for a chance to win the game, but the defense gave up a pair of first downs and the Vikings killed the clock.
The Vikings swept the Packers for the first time since 2017 and are now 14-2 entering the season’s final week.
Here are five stats to know from the Packers’ loss to the Vikings in Week 17:
14: Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was under pressure on only 14 of 44 dropbacks, and he completed 26 of 30 passes when kept clean in the pocket, per Pro Football Focus. Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers didn’t play up to their standard in terms of rushing the quarterback. Jeff Hafley tried to blitz Darnold early, but he ate it up. The front four just wasn’t good enough.
1-for-5: Jordan Love was 1-for-5 on passes thrown over 20 yards in the air. His lone completion was a wide open connection to Tucker Kraft for 35 yards in the fourth quarter. On the other side, Darnold was 4-for-5 for 99 yards and two touchdowns on throws over 20 yards against a defense that had shut down explosive plays all season. The Vikings won a decisive win in the deep passing game battle.
47.1 percent: The Vikings played man coverage on 47.1 percent of the Packers’ dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats, and Jordan Love averaged only 4.2 yards per attempt against man coverage. The Packers didn’t have Christian Watson, arguably the team’s best man coverage beater, and Matt LaFleur admitted he didn’t have enough answers and adjustments to the coverage looks early on. Love had only 64 passing yards entering the fourth quarter. Drops were an issue against man coverage.
2: Rookie safety Javon Bullard was credited with giving up two touchdown passes. Jalen Nailor got behind the coverage for a 31-yard score, and Jordan Addison beat him on a double move for a score to open the third quarter. Bullard, who missed two games while battling an ankle injury, started in the slot but had to move back to safety after Zayne Anderson went out. It was a tough challenge for a rookie coming off an injury, and the Vikings took advantage. Bullard gave up six catches on six targets for 72 yards.
7: The Packers had seven penalties. Three penalties negated a first down or touchdown. Two penalties handed the Vikings a first down. One penalty gave the Vikings a second chance at a field goal before the half. Matt LaFleur said the Packers were “sloppy” and didn’t play with proper fundamentals.