5 things that stood out in the Vikings huge win over Packers
Fears of Kirk Cousins possibly missing the rest of the season after suffering a non-contact injury in Minnesota's 24-10 win over the Green Bay Packers is the main headline, but there was plenty of content to discuss from the border battle. Here are five of them...
1. Season-ending injury for Kirk Cousins?
Cousins left the game and did not return after suffering a non-contact injury in the fourth quarter. The 12-year veteran hopped off the field and was eventually carted to the locker room. Replays are eerily similar to what Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers went through when he tore his Achilles in the season opener.
The replay below shows a snapping motion in his calf, which Dr. David J. Chao, who goes by "ProFootballDoc" on X, has speculated that Cousins suffered a right Achilles tendon rupture, which if true could mean his season is over.
Adam Schefter is reporting that it's a torn Achilles and the Vikings have confirmed that they fear Cousins suffered an Achilles injury.
2. Green Bay penalties in the first half
- 5-yard ineligible downfield wiped out 20-yard gain on 3rd-and-1
- 5-yard false start on 4th-down punt formation
- 5-yard illegal formation on 4th-down punt formation (offsetting penalty)
- 15-yard unnecessary roughness on Jonathan Owens
- 15-yard roughing the passer on Kingsley Enagbare
- 5-yard delay of game on 3rd-and-17
- 5-yard illegal use of hands on Rasul Douglas
- 10-yard holding on Jon Runyan pushes Packers into 2nd-and-16
- 10-yard pass interference on Christian Watson
The eight penalties in the first half were the most by the Packers since September 2012 against the 49ers.
3. Red zone success
Minnesota was brutal inside the 5-yard line last week against the Niners and for the season had turned red zone trips into touchdowns just 47.3% of the time, which ranked 23rd in the NFL.
Against the Packers they had a delay of game penalty on their first red zone snap but then clicked it into gear with a pair of runs to Cam Akers, the second a 6-yard burst for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Other opportunities in the red zone...
- 1st-and-goal at the 4: Cam Akers 6-yard TD
- 1st-and-10 at at the 14: Field goal
- 2nd-and-10 at the 13: 2-yard TD pass to T.J. Hockenson
- 1st-and-10 at the 20: 20-yard TD to Jordan Addison
- 1st-and-10 at the 13: Blocked field goal
Overall, the Vikings had five trips to the red zone and they came away with 24 points.
4. Not aggressive on opening drive
Minnesota had the ball 4th-and-1 from the Green Bay 24-yard line and Kevin O'Connell decided to kick the field goal rather than stay aggressive and try to pick up a fourth down to sustain the drive for a chance at a touchdown. The result was Greg Joseph missing the kick wide right.
Later in the game the Vikings had a 4th-and-1 in the red zone and they used a QB sneak to pick up the first down and later score a touchdown.
5. Jordan Addison threatening rookie TD history
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates a first down reception against Green Bay Packers safety Rudy Ford (20) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) during their football game Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Addison finished the game with seven receptions for 82 yards and his seventh touchdown in eight games as a rookie. Not only is he speeding towards the NFL league lead for touchdown catches, but he's on his way to joining some of the great receiving touchdown seasons by a rookie in NFL history.
His seven touchdowns equals the number of touchdown catches Justin Jefferson had during his rookie season in 2020. Randy Moss owns the NFL record for most receiving touchdowns by a rookie with 17 in 1998. The next highest touchdown total for a rookie wide receiver is 13 by J'Marr Chase (2021), John Jefferson (1978) and Billy Howton (1952).
At his current pace, Addison will finish the season with 15 touchdowns.
