Justin Jefferson Dominates as the Vikings Beat the Packers, 23-7
It was all smiles for Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings in his initially sport as head coach. The Vikings offense bought off to a roaring start and rode that momentum to victory above the Environmentally friendly Bay Packers, 23-7. Much of the output in that first fifty percent was a outcome of the Kirk Cousins/Justin Jefferson link. Jefferson caught 6 passes for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The 158 acquiring yards in the initially 50 % for Jefferson set a new Vikings franchise record.
The output got started suitable absent on the opening drive as Cousins connected with Jefferson for a pair of 20-in addition-yard gains. He then strike Jefferson for a five-property touchdown to put the Vikings on the board five-and-a-50 % minutes into the game.
As excellent as the offense was, the protection was just about as remarkable in opposition to Green Bay’s offense and the two-time reigning MVP, Aaron Rodgers. The Packers were being held scoreless in the 1st 50 percent as Minnesota jumped out to a 17- lead heading into halftime. Total, it was a rough outing for Rodgers as he was held to just 195 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception on the working day. The interception was caught by Harrison Smith, the 30th of his NFL profession.
Section of the struggles for Rodgers experienced to do with the Vikings defensive front, who offered continual strain on the Packers QB. Minnesota recorded four sacks on Sunday, like just one by Za’Darius Smith, who had been excess motivated heading into the video game against his former workforce.
In the second 50 %, the Vikings went a significantly a lot more conservative approach as they experimented with to guard their lead. Dalvin Prepare dinner and Alexander Mattison acquired all the carries in the match, and general, they were being incredibly powerful. The backfield duo blended for 28 carries and 126 yards, averaging 4.5 yards for every have.
Simply because of this change in strategy, Jefferson fell just a tad brief of Sammy White’s franchise report for solitary match acquiring yards. White recorded 210 yards in 1976 Jefferson completed the working day with 184 yards. However, Sunday’s efficiency marks a career high for Jefferson.
Just after a Greg Joseph industry objective made the rating 20-, the Packers finally located the finish zone in the second 50 percent on the significant legs of AJ Dillion. Dillon punched in a 2-lawn score, but it was a matter of far too little much too late. Joseph nailed a further subject aim, and the Vikings protection prevented any extra momentum from Eco-friendly Bay’s offense, landing us at the last score of 23-7.
Soon after starting their season 1- for the very first time since 2019, the Vikings now head on the street to take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Evening Soccer in Week 2. In the meantime, the Packers head residence to host a feisty Bears crew that just upset the San Francisco 49ers.
Josh Frey is a Course of 2020 graduate of The College or university of Idaho. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Inventive Composing as effectively as minors in Heritage, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not crafting about the NFL, Josh‘s hobbies involve education for a marathon, actively playing movie games, and rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For far more of his requires, NFL and if not, check out out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken
