Packers vs. Vikings: Score and Twitter Reaction for Sunday Night Football

The Minnesota Vikings unleashed their new aerial combination on the Green Bay Packers during Sunday night's NFC North showdown, and the result was a 17-14 victory. 

Sam Bradford threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns in his first start as a member of the Vikings, and Stefon Diggs hauled in 182 receiving yards along with a score in a game that was otherwise marred by what appeared to be a serious knee injury to Adrian Peterson in the third quarter.

While Peterson's injury lingered over the game, Diggs joined some impressive company and helped salvage the win, as NFL on ESPN shared:

It wasn't just Bradford and Diggs who shined in the Vikings' first regular-season game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Minnesota defense contained Aaron Rodgers and Co. throughout the game, yielding only 14 points.

Rodgers finished with 213 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, while Eddie Lacy notched 50 rushing yards. The Packers fumbled four times but recovered three of them, preventing the Vikings defense from having an even bigger impact on the outcome.

Despite the loss, Green Bay seized early momentum when Ty Montgomery blocked a punt in the first quarter. Minnesota's offense looked out of sync in the opening 15 minutes, and Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press predicted the Minnesota defense was going to have to score 10 to 14 points to beat the Packers.

The defense paid the price when Rodgers found Jordy Nelson for a one-yard score on the ensuing possession to help the Packers jump ahead 7-0. The first touchdown in U.S. Bank Stadium history capped off a 52-yard drive, and the Packers shared a replay of the block that led to the score:

Minnesota's offense finally settled in during the second quarter, when Bradford marched downfield for a 54-yard touchdown drive to help Minnesota tie the game. Bradford found tight end Kyle Rudolph to cap off the scoring drive, which was the last time either team reached the end zone in the first half.

The Vikings defense swarmed Green Bay's attack and kept the home team in the game while Bradford found his rhythm. The offense then came through with a scoring drive that Blair Walsh capped off with a field goal to take a 10-7 lead into the locker room.

Although Minnesota scored 10 points in the second quarter, both teams struggled to establish a rushing attack in the opening 30 minutes.

Lacy tallied 16 yards on six carries, while Peterson notched 12 yards on nine carries. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports addressed Peterson's lackluster start:

Each defense continued to play well early in the third quarter, but Green Bay broached Minnesota's red zone on its second possession of the half. However, the Vikings stuffed Packers running back James Starks on a fourth-down run with penetration up front.

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press was confused with the Packers' play-calling in the critical moment:

It was also an important swing for Minnesota because defensive back Captain Munnerlyn failed to pounce on a fumble by Rodgers earlier in the drive.

While Minnesota was in favorable position in the game, its momentum came to a halt when Peterson suffered a knee injury late in the third quarter. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report said Peterson couldn't walk as he was taken to the locker room, and Lance Allan of NBC Milwaukee noted the crowd went silent.

The crowd spruced up when Bradford stood in the pocket, absorbed a hit and found Diggs for a 25-yard touchdown.

The NFL shared the connection:

Just when it looked as though Minnesota would pull away, Rodgers responded by hitting Nelson for a 39-yard gain. The QB then ran it in from 10 yards out to help Green Bay trim the deficit to 17-14 with 12:41 remaining in the game. A scuffle broke out after the score, when Green Bay felt Minnesota hit Rodgers well after he crossed the goal line, and center J.C. Tretter was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Green Bay's defense held and gave Rodgers the ball back, but Brian Robison notched a strip-sack on the signal-caller. Minnesota finally fell on a loose ball, and Tom Pelissero of USA Today praised the defensive end's play:

The Packers defense again stopped Minnesota and presented Rodgers with a chance to be the hero when he started from his own 9-yard line. It was clear that his strategy was to target cornerback Trae Waynes, and Bleacher Report's Matt Miller weighed in:

"

I would make throwing at Waynes my first and second read.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 19, 2016"

Rodgers picked on him one too many times, however, and Waynes intercepted a pass intended for Davante Adams. It was a redemption play for the 24-year-old defender that made up for his earlier struggles against the Green Bay receivers.

The game wasn't done until Diggs drew a pass-interference penalty on Damarious Randall on third down with less than two minutes remaining. From there, the Vikings ran out the clock to secure the win.

What's Next?

Next up for the Packers is their home opener against the Detroit Lions.

While Rodgers' team failed to earn a road win in the division Sunday, Green Bay has an opportunity to move ahead of quarterback Matthew Stafford's squad. Next week's contest marks the first of four straight home games for the Packers, which could help them move into the thick of the NFC playoff picture in the early portion of the season.

The Vikings will hit the road to face the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers in Week 3. Thus far, the Panthers have a one-point loss to the Denver Broncos and a 19-point win over the San Francisco 49ers.

With reigning MVP Cam Newton leading the way, the Panthers figure to again be a major factor in the NFC playoff race. An early head-to-head victory for Minnesota could factor into tiebreaker scenarios down the stretch.

Postgame Reaction

Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press provided an update on Peterson after the game: “Peterson is on crutches in the locker room with a big black brace/sleeve on his right leg. Doesn't look good.”

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said there will be an MRI on Monday and commented on the injury, per Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune: “Whatever it was, it calmed down. So we'll see.”

Bradford discussed the game plan that helped his team win even after the Peterson setback, per KFAN 100.3 in Minneapolis: “I felt good with our game plan. We just put in a lot of really good stuff. That’s the benefit of only having to learn a game plan.”

As for Green Bay, coach Mike McCarthy didn’t seem to panic after the loss, per the Packers on Twitter: “This is early NFL season football. We weren't very clean tonight. Lot of sloppy football. We know we can perform better.”

Rodgers discussed the defeat, per the team: “We've got to go back and be harsh with our critiques of ourselves, myself included. And we will.”

He also said: “We’re not going to overreact. We believe we’ll get this thing figured out,” when talking about Green Bay’s offense, per the Packers.

Considering Green Bay has made the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons, it is hard to doubt Rodgers’ confidence.