Packers Extend Win Streak to Franchise Record 13
The Packers held on to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 33-27 Sunday in Minneapolis. The victory gave Green Bay their 13th straight win – setting a franchise record – and it also gave them their first 7-0 start since 1962.
Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of 30 passes for 335 yards and three touchdown passes. Greg Jennings also had a big day with seven receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown.
But the big story coming in was Viking rookie Christian Ponder getting his first NFL start, and Ponder did not disappoint early with a 72-yard completion to open the game. Ponder then completed the Vikings’ opening drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Visanthe Shiancoe, which gave Minnesota a 7-0 lead. Ponder went on to have a decent performance with 219 passing yards, two touchdowns and 31 rushing yards. However, he also threw two interceptions, both to Charles Woodson.
Ponder had been chosen to start over veteran Donovan McNabb, who had a passer rating of 82.9 – 19th in the NFL – through the first six games of the regular season.
The Vikings led 17-13 at the break, but blew a halftime lead for the fourth time this season.
The Packers won this game with a 20-0 third quarter that started off with Rodgers hitting a wide-open Jennings for a 79-yard touchdown connection.
Green Bay entered the final quarter leading 33-17, but Ponder and the Vikings weren’t finished. Minnesota fought back with a field goal and a touchdown in the fourth, but, in the end, it was to no avail. The Packers still squeaked away with the six-point win, while the Vikings fell to 1-6.
The Vikings’ go-to guy on offense, Adrian Peterson, stepped up as usual. Peterson completed his 27th career 100-yard rushing performance with 175 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries. However, the Packers’ offense had just enough firepower to overcome another solid performance by Peterson.
James Jones and Jordy Nelson had notable contributions, each with four receptions for over 50 yards. And James Starks rushed for 75 yards on 13 carries, including some clutch runs to ice the game.
The Packers now enter their bye week and will travel to San Diego in Week 9.
