NFL Wild Card Weekend: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers Live
Although he only had one touchdown, Aaron Rodgers pretty much had his way against the Vikings.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Final: Packers 24, Vikings 10.
This one was never in doubt. Aaron Rodgers showed why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Setting an NFL playoff record completing passes to 10 different receivers, he led the Packers to 24 straight points and put this away early in the second half.
He finished the game 23-for-33 passing with 274 yards and a touchdown.
The Packer defense did its job holding Adrian Peterson to 99 yards on 22 carries. With 210 and 199 yards in the two regular season meeting, Peterson's longest run was 18 yards. They also got two turnovers on the night helping to seal the win. Clay Matthews recovered a fumble and Sam Shields intercepted a Joe Webb pass.
Fullback John Kuhn had two touchdowns for the Packers. He had a three-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and caught Rodger's only touchdown pass in the third quarter.
The Vikings got a touchdown pass from Webb on a 50-yard pass to Michael Jenkins. The play came with only 3:49 left in the game. Webb finished 11-of-30 passing with the touchdown and an interception. Web got the start after Christian Ponder was named inactive right before game time.
The Packers will be travelling to play the 49ers next week where they will get another chance to avenge a loss from the regular season. In Week 1 San Francisco beat the Packers 30-22 at Lambeau Field.
Aaron Rodgers set an NFL playoff record completing passes to 10 different receivers.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Final: Packers 24, Vikings 10.
Don't be fooled by the score—it was not that close.
With the game in hand the Packers fell asleep on defense for one play. It cost them a 50-yard touchdown. At the time the score was 24-3, and the Vikings had not scored since their opening drive.
Still, fans of both teams should feel pretty good about their teams.
After finishing 15-1 last season the Packers had a disappointing postseason with the loss to the Giants. They look ready to take on 49ers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs next week.
Adrian Peterson finished the game with 99 yards on 22 carries.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
For Minnesota they finished where not many thought they would be—in the playoffs. After two seasons in the basement of the NFC North, they not only ended the season with a winning record, but they also know who their quarterback is—or at least who it is not.
It was a great game by the Packers, in all phases of the game.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
0:28 left in the game: Is there any chance Adrian Peterson gets one more yard?
After leading the Vikings to the playoffs, Christian Ponder could only watch the Packers rout the Vikings.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Two-minute warning: Those Vikings' fans who had been calling for Joe Webb got their answer. Starting for Christian Ponder who missed the game with an elbow injury, he has been terrible.
It should end all the quarterback debates in Minnesota.
6:24 left in the game: The Packers get the ball back after the Vikings fail to convert on fourth down.
The problem is, they have the ball on their 42-yard line. There's not enough field for them to be able to run out the clock.
I guess they will have to score yet again.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
8:51 left in the game: Adrian Peterson is amazing. His longest run of the night comes after falling down, getting back up and breaking a couple of tackles to gain 18 yards.
Here's hoping he ends the game with 100 yards and no injuries—the guy deserves it.
When the 49ers beat the Packers in Week 1, Alex Smith was the quarterback.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
12:25 left in the game: The way this game is going it's obvious that neither team should be here.
Not the Vikings who earned the last playoff spot with an improbable win last week, nor the Packers who should have earned a first-round bye.
It looks like the Packers will get another shot to avenge a loss. Next week they will be travelling to San Francisco. In Week 1 the 49ers beat the Packers 30-22 at Lambeau Field.
With how good the Packers are looking on both sides of the ball tonight, it should be a very good game next week.
Andy King/Getty Images
13:59 left in the game: Just in case anyone thought the Vikings had a chance, Marcus Sherels helps to put this one away for the Packers.
The Vikings' punt returner muffs the punt giving the Packers their third turnover on the night. This comes after a rare three-and-out for the Packers.
Sam Shields gets an interception to end another Minnesota drive.
Tom Lynn/Getty Images
0:06 left in the third quarter: With another turnover by Joe Webb, this game is over. The Vikings will need at least two turnovers if they want to win.
As mentioned early in the posts, the Vikings are 0-6 this season when they give up the ball more than they take it away.
Actually, the Packers could turn the ball over four times and not have to worry. The Vikings have not been a threat since their first possession.
Webb's longest completion on the night has been 13 yards. His longest run has been for 17 yards—six yards greater than Adrian Peterson's longest run.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center"><p>The Internet is having fun with Joe Webb's Wikipedia page tonight (h/t @<a href="https://twitter.com/jimmytraina">jimmytraina</a>) <a href="http://t.co/MKNMYiJS" title="http://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/287757896928854019/photo/1">twitter.com/BleacherReport…</a></p>— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/287757896928854019" data-datetime="2013-01-06T03:10:04+00:00">January 6, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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3:05 left in the third quarter: It cannot get any worse for the Vikings.
Down big with the offense sputtering, Harrison Smith is injured after making a tackle for an eight yard loss.
Hopefully it's not serious, that would be like salt in the wound for Minnesota.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
3:59 left in the third quarter: Clay Matthews has been a beast on defense.
With the Vikings trying to convert a 4th-and-3 in Packers' territory, he get the trifecta—the sack, the forced fumble and the fumble recovery.
Matthews blew right past rookie left tackle Matt Kalil.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
9:22 left on the third quarter: Harrison Smith makes a great play to prevent a touchdown to Jermichael Finley.
A penalty against the Vikings gives the Packers a first down at the 9-yard line and Aaron Rodgers makes the Vikings pay. A 9-yard touchdown to John Kuhn.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
Joe Webb: 17 drop backs. Adrian Peterson: 12 runs. Not the way the Vikings are going to win this game.
— Ian Kenyon (@IanKenyonNFL) January 6, 2013
Could we see Bethel Thompson-McCleod?
Sit Webb. This is an embarassment. Anything is better than this. Anything. Put Jared Allen at QB. I don't care. #VikingsPackers
— Ryan Sanderson (@steamboatbilljr) January 6, 2013
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
Joe Webb isn't an NFL quarterback, but he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 6, 2013
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Halftime: The Minnesota Vikings looked good on their opening drive, getting a 33-yard field goal from Blair Walsh. The Vikings gained 53 yards on the drive, all by running. Since that drive it has been four punts and only 44 yards of offense.
Webb has 43 yards running and only 22 yards passing, completing only 3-of-12 passes.
On the other side of the ball, Aaron Rodgers has the Packers rolling. After opening the game with a 3-and-out, Green Bay has scored on three of the next four drives.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Rodgers is 14-for-18 passing for 205 yards. The Packers get the ball to open the second half, and can put this game away.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
The Packers' defense has been able to keep Adrian Peterson in check. After rushing for 409 yards in two regular season games, he only has 48 yards on 12 carries.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
1:12 left in the second quarter: On this drive the Vikings have been unable to put any pressure on Aaron Rodgers with four rushers. The problem is they are unable to cover the Packers' receivers with seven guys in coverage.
Rodgers has completed 14 passes to eight different receivers.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
2:27 left in the second quarter: Forcing another punt following the Mason Crosby field goal, it's obvious that Joe Webb has no idea what's going on.
The Vikings have gotten away from having Webb run the ball. and it's resulted in disaster for Minnesota. Erik Walden gets another sack on Webb, the second of the game.
Andy King/Getty Images
5:11 left in the second quarter: Aaron Rodgers converts on 4th-and-5 from the Vikings' 34-yard line.
A clutch catch by Greg Jennings puts the ball on the 2-yard line.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
8:30 left in the second quarter: Forced to punt on their third consecutive drive, it's no surprise that Joe Webb has more yards rushing (43) than passing (14). Completing only 2-of-6 passes, the Vikings should keep him running.
Dujuan Harris is doing a very good Adrian Peterson impression. He has 31 yards on eight carries. Peterson has 39 yards on 10 carries.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
9:56 left in the second quarter: So far the time of possession is very even.
The Vikings hold a slight edge with 10:12 to 9:52 for the Packers.
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
11:37 left in the second quarter: Great tackle for a loss by Harrison Smith on Dujuan Harris.
This kid knows how to hit.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
In the Vikings three drives, the Packers were able to put the Vikings into 3rd-and-long twice. Both times Joe Webb panicked under pressure and tried to throw the ball away.
The second resulted in an intentional grounding penalty.
David Banks/Getty Images
13:39 left in the second quarter: Clay Matthews gets a gift sack when Joe Webb trips over him.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
End of the first quarter: With the timeout, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will have the chance to challenge the last play, and Dujuan Harris will get credit for the touchdown.
On the drive, Harris was crucial with 21 yards rushing and two catches for 28 yards.
The Packers take the lead.
Packers 7, Vikings 3
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