NFL Game of the Week: Minnesota Vikings Vs. Green Bay Packers
By Editorial Staff
The NFL Game of the Week between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers was a brutal fight to the end. With former Packer QB Brett Favre returning to Lambeau Field the drama was set for an epic battle. Both the Vikings and the Packers were at a crossroads in their seasons. Coming into the game the Vikings held a 2-3 record and hopes of catching the division leading Chicago Bears who loss earlier in the day. Green Bay has been beaten to a pulp on the injury front forcing them to play with a patchwork defense and receiving corps.
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It didn’t take long for the game to get started as the Packers scored the first touchdown on a 1-yard run by RB Brandon Jackson making the score 7-0. The Vikings quickly retaliated with a 17-yard run up the middle by WR Percy Harvin to tie the score at 7 apiece. Harvin has increasingly been used in a running back capacity. After the score the two teams attacked each other and the lead changed hands 4 times.
Packer rookie 2010 5thround pick TE Andrew Quarless played a prominent role in the game with 2 receptions for 16-yards and one touchdown. His touchdown gave the Packers the lead with 14:53 to go in the second quarter and was his first career score. But his biggest play or non-play came later in the quarter when he tripped on his own legs and failed to catch a pass from backup QB Matt Flynn. Green Bay lined up in field goal formation on the Minnesota 37-yard line then Flynn suddenly switched to shotgun formation which caught the defense off guard. As Quarless ran by a Viking defender Flynn threw a perfect pass to Quarless only to have him fall to the ground.
Viking rookie second round pick RB Toby Gerhart seen increased action Sunday night. He finished with 5 carries for 24-yards to go along with one reception for 6-yards. Though it was only 5 carries the Vikings are slowly restoring confidence in their first round pick.
The game was decided at the very end. With the Packers leading 28-24 the Vikings drove the ball up the field. The Vikings had the Packers defense on their heels and lined up on the Green Bay 35-yard line. Favre, who was tormented by the Packer defense on every snap, stepped back and fired a touchdown to Percy Harvin to give the Vikings a 30-28 lead with 1:02 to go in the game. But officials called for a replay and the touchdown was reversed due to Harvin stepping out of bounds.
On 4thand 15 with 0:40 seconds left in the game the Vikings lined up in shotgun formation. Favre received the ball from center, stepped back and tripped on his own legs. By the time he got up his options were limited and he threw an incomplete pass to WR Randy Moss, game over. He finished the game with 16 completions on 29 attempts for 212-yards, one touchdown and 3 interceptions. All interceptions were due to Favre trying to avoid the Green Bay rush attack forcing him to throw ill-advised passes.
Aaron Rodgers threw 21 completions in 32 attempts for 295-yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Favre was boo’d loudly as he left Lambeau field for the last time in his career. Not the way he wanted to end his time in Green Bay.