The Green Bay Packers fell to 2-2 in Week 4, losing to the Minnesota Vikings 31-29. Suffering a bitter loss to an NFC North rival like the Vikings, especially at Lambeau Field, is never easy. Despite the loss, the Packers put up a valiant comeback effort.
Trailing 28-7 at halftime, Green Bay staged a fourth-quarter rally, scoring 22 points, including a final touchdown with less than a minute remaining. However, a missed onside kick sealed their fate, giving Minnesota the victory.
While the Packers’ first-half struggles were alarming, especially with conference implications at stake, Sunday’s game requires context rather than scrutiny. This year’s Packers team still looks to be one of the best in the NFC. And it starts in part because of their starting quarterback.
Jordan Love’s return wasn’t so bad
Malik Willis proved to be a capable replacement for an injured Jordan Love over the previous two games, but Packers fans were clamoring for the return of their starting quarterback against an undefeated Vikings team. They got their wish.
Love was spotted at practice before last week’s game against the Tennessee Titans. Fortunately, he wasn’t needed as Willis handled business against his former team, going 2-0 while replacing Love.
It seemed like the perfect time for Love to return against the Vikings, but his performance, especially early on, was what should have been expected. Love had a career-high day in yards (389) and touchdowns (4), but also tied it with a career-worst three interceptions, completing 32 of 54 pass attempts. Two of those interceptions were capitalized in the first half, helping Minnesota take a 28-0 lead. Love would find Jayden Reed on a 15-yard touchdown run just before the end of the half to cut the lead to 21.
While Love may have been the right choice given his potential against the Vikings, facing one of the league’s top-ranked defenses was a tall order for the returning quarterback. Before facing the Packers, the Vikings were ranked second in defensive scoring, allowing just 10 points per game. They also led the league in interceptions (8) and sacks (17). The Packers were not spared from the Vikings’ defensive onslaught.
Again, this wasn’t the best match for Love’s return. But don’t let this one play fool you. Instead, take a look at what Love and the Packers were able to do in the second half, staging a comeback. Despite the loss, it was still a career day for Love and one that he and the team can build on for the rest of the season.
Packers schedule gets easier
The Packers posted two impressive wins against the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans in Love’s absence, keeping them at .500 after the loss to the Vikings. They were relatively easy opponents who don’t have winning records. Good news: the next three out of four games will be against teams with losing records.
The Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals, their next opponents, have a combined record of 2-6. After that, they’ll host the 3-1 Houston Texans before hitting the road to face the winless Jacksonville Jaguars, who could then be without head coach Doug Pederson. These matchups should provide more favorable scenarios for Love as he continues to recover from his injury.
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The Packers defense is still solid
Despite allowing 31 points, the Packers defense remains a unit not to be underestimated. Against the Vikings, they produced two sacks, five tackles for loss and forced three turnovers, including a Sam Darnold interception of Xavier McKinney.
Before Sunday, the Packers were right there with the Vikings among the league leaders in interceptions (2nd) and sacks (7th). Part of the blame for the loss falls on the Packers offense. On their first four possessions, they missed two field goals, threw two interceptions and turned the ball over on downs at the Minnesota 34. The defense was constantly put in bad situations and the offense couldn’t match the points – that amounts to to a recipe. for a disaster.
Now is not the time to panic in Green Bay. Love is back and seems healthy. Sure, there was some rust to shake off, but with an easier schedule and enough talent around him, the Packers are still on track to achieve their lofty goals this season.
*Statistics provided by Fox Sports.
