Live Updates: Matt LaFleur Loses Gamble and Packers Implode vs. Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur is looking for his team to set the tone in Sunday’s Week 1 rivalry showdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

“We better see great energy and excitement,” LaFleur said this week. “We just talked about the build-up to this moment and how much work actually goes in. You might as well go cut it loose and play balls to the wall.”

Follow along all day for updates from U.S. Bank Stadium.

Fourth Quarter

Vikings 32, Packers 22 (4:48 remaining)

Complete disaster. On first down at the 30, MarShawn Lloyd was tackled in the backfield for minus-3. On second down, Dallas Turner sacked/stripped Jordan Love; Zach Bako-Bewele. On third-and-17, Blake Cashman blitzed untouched up the middle. He and Andrew Van Ginkel sacked Love, with the Vikings recovering at the 2.

On the next play, Jordan Mason plowed into the end zone.

Vikings 25, Packers 22 (6:37 remaining)

Aaron Jones’ 3-yard touchdown run gave the Vikings their first lead of the game. Carson Wentz’s two-point pass to Justin Jefferson made it a three-point game.

The Packers were guilty of three defensive penalties. The first was illegal-hands on Javon Bullard, which wiped out a third-and-11 sack. The second was roughing the passer on Chris McClellan, which nullified a third-and-3 sack. The third was defensive holding by Xavier McKinney, which wiped out a third-and-5 end-zone interception.

Packers 22, Vikings 17 (13:11 remaining)

The Packers picked up one first down to start the drive but defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez beat center Sean Rhyan for a sack on the final play of the third quarter. But Love overcame it on the first play of the fourth. Facing interior pressure, Love stepped up in the pocket and rifled one to Matthew Golden for a catch-and-run gain of 42.

What might be the biggest moment of the game followed. On fourth-and-6, Trey Smack kicked a 40-yard field goal to make it 25-17 but the Vikings were offside. Coach Matt LaFleur accepted the penalty, took the points off the board and ran the offense back on the field. Love was stuffed on the sneak. So, the Vikings will start at their 17.

Third Quarter

Packers 22, Vikings 17 (2:08 remaining)

Myles Price took the ensuing kickoff back 69 yards to Green Bay’s 28. Evan Williams was pancaked and Trey Smack whiffed with a trip. Aaron Jones muscled his way for a first down on third-and-1. Then, on third-and-8, Carson Wentz found tight end T.J. Hockenson running free through the secondary for a 16-yard touchdown.

Packers 22, Vikings 10 (5:09 remaining)

Trey Smack kicked a 26-yard field goal to make it a 12-point game. Love started the drive with an amazing throw. Nobody blocked Kyle Van Noy but Love, while extending the play to his right, through a missile to Matthew Golden for 13. After a third-and-4 conversion to Jayden Reed, Love booted to the right and found tight end Jonnu Smith all alone for a catch-and-run gain of 43. That made it first-and-goal at the 7 but a red-zone failure limited it to a field goal.

Packers 19, Vikings 10 (10:55 remaining)

The Vikings went three-and-out. Keisean Nixon clobbered Carson Wentz on a first-down bootleg and Wentz was wide of the mark to wide-open Jordan Addison on third-and-6.

Injury update: Packers TE Josh Whyle (stinger) is questionable.

Packers 19, Vikings 10 (12:03 remaining)

The Packers picked up one first down on MarShawn Lloyd’s highlight-reel run and another on Jordan Love’s across-the-field completion to Tucker Kraft for 12, but the drive stalled. A terrible punt by Daniel Whelan – a rarely used sentence – handed the Vikings great field position at the 40.

Halftime

Packers 19, Vikings 10

Jordan Love is 9-of-19 but for 199 yards and two touchdowns as the Packers lead 19-10 at halftime. Christian Watson has five catches for 131 yards and both touchdowns and Tucker Kraft, fresh off a contract extension, has two catches for 53 yards.

With Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray out with a concussion, Carson Wentz is 6-of-10 for 79 yards, including a touchdown to Justin Jefferson.

It’ll be Green Bay ball to start the second half.

Second Quarter

Packers 19, Vikings 10 (0:14 remaining)

Jordan Love, under relentless pressure, delivered a big-time answer. First, with Chris Brooks blocking blitzing linebacker Blake Cashman, Love hit Tucker Kraft for a gain of 23. On the next play, Love was almost intercepted as he was hit by blitzing safety Harrison Smith. On the next play, Love threw a dart to Bo Melton for a first down.

Then, as he was about to be buried by Smith, Love went deep to Christian Watson. The ball was underthrown but Watson made the catch while being tackled by Byron Murphy; two flags were thrown, not that they mattered. That made it first-and-goal at the 7. After Chris Brooks ran it to the 2, Watson motioned from left to right, got lost in the Minnesota defense and was wide open for the touchdown.

Packers 12, Vikings 10 (1:55 remaining)

Just like that, the Vikings are back in the game. Carson Wentz converted a pair of third downs before hitting Justin Jefferson for a 39-yard touchdown. Wentz coaxed Lukas Van Ness offside. On the free play, Wentz did what any smart quarterback would do: He threw it up to Jefferson, who got away from Brandon Cisse at the last minute for a toe-tap touchdown.

Packers 12, Vikings 3 (5:18 remaining)

What a terrible drive with a chance to extend the lead. The Packers started at the Vikings’ 36 – so already in field-goal range. But Donovan Jennings was flagged for a false start, Jordan Love had to throw it away with Dallas Turner in his face, Sean Rhyan was flagged for holding and Love couldn’t hit Chris Brooks in the flat because nobody blocked Eric Wilson. On third-and-25, Jayden Reed was wide open in the slot for what would have easily put the ball in field-goal range. Love’s pass was off-target and incomplete.

Love is a woeful 5-of-14, though it hasn’t mattered yet.

Packers 12, Vikings 3 (5:56 remaining)

The Packers got a three-and-out. Aaron Jones on first down had a stumbling gain for 6 – he didn’t think he was actually tackled and wound up running the ball for about 50 yards. The referees called him down; it appeared Jones went down because Xavier McKinney stepped on his heel. On third down, Karl Brooks’ bull rush set up a sack by Lukas Van Ness.

Packers 12, Vikings 3 (8:20 remaining)

The drive started with a bang. With three tight ends on the field, two stayed into block and Tucker Kraft got open downfield for a catch-and-run gain of 30. The drive stalled, though. Daniel Whelan’s excellent punt was downed by Bo Melton at the 4.

Packers 12, Vikings 3 (10:34 remaining)

Myles Price returned the kickoff to the 40 but Green Bay’s defense kept the Vikings out of field goal range. On third-and-9, Karl Brooks’ bull rush forced Carson Wentz to check it down to running back DeeJay Dallas. Edgerrin Cooper was there instantly for the tackle.

Packers 12, Vikings 3 (13:52 remaining)

Bo Melton, who was and signed to the practice squad on Friday, took the ensuing kickoff return back 59 yards. Nick Niemann had the key block; he also could have been called for holding. Jordan Love hit Christian Watson for 10 to move the chains on third-and-7.

With a little no-huddle sprinkled in, the second quarter started with a third-and-9 from Minnesota’s 26. Love hit Watson for 6. Coach Matt LaFleur kept the offense on the field; who knows if they were going to run a play but, with the play clock winding down, Love was flagged for a false start. Trey Smack kicked a 43-yard field goal.

Injury update: Vikings QB Kyler Murray (concussion) is out.

First Quarter

Packers 9, Vikings 3 (1:38 remaining)

Will Reichard made a 38-yard field goal to get the Vikings on the board. Carson Wentz, in relief of injured Kyler Murray, converted a third-and-6 with a 9-yard pass to Justin Jefferson, and back-to-back runs by Aaron Jones provided another first down before the drive stalled. Evan Williams couldn’t believe he missed the block on the kick.

Packers 9, Vikings 0 (6:07 remaining)

Kyler Murray scrambled on third-and-6. As he slid to the turf, he was hit by Lukas Van Ness and Javon Bullard. Bullard was flagged for unnecessary roughness – Bullard went low for the tackle as Murray also went low on the slide – and Murray was injured. He stayed on the turf for a few minutes before walking slowly to the sideline. The medical tent was set up but he went straight to the locker room.

Carson Wentz is in the game with Murray being evaluated for a concussion.

Packers 9, Vikings 0 (7:43 remaining)

An 81-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Christian Watson has given the Packers their first touchdown of the season. Watson caught the ball in stride at the 35. As he approachd the Vikings’ 35, Matthew Golden had a glancing block against cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. Initially, a flag was thrown for an illegal block. After a brief discussion, the flag was picked up.

Trey Smack missed the extra point wide right.

WATSON TD!

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/NVEU4ikenf
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 13, 2026

Packers 3, Vikings 0 (7:56 remaining)

The Vikings converted a third-and-4 on Kyler Murray’s tight-window throw to Justin Jefferson against Keisean Nixon. On third-and-8, a “Go Pack Go” chant started and right tackle Brian O’Neill was guilty of a false start. On third-and-13, a “Go Pack Go” chant helped produce another false start, this one by center Blake Brandel. After a give-up screen, the Vikings punted.

Packers 3, Vikings 0 (12:11 remaining)

Take advantage of a short field, the Packers took a quick lead on Trey Smack’s 59-yard field goal. On second down, Chris Brooks found a hole off right guard for a gain of 14; he broke one tackle and gained 7 yards after contact.

The drive stalled, so Smack booted the long field goal. He raised his index finger in the air before the ball was to the goalposts.

The Packers, with their five captains and former Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave out for the opening toss, won the toss and deferred. Two plays later, the offense was on the field. On first down, Keisean Nixon blitzed and tackled Aaron Jones for a loss of 1.

On second down, the Vikings inexplicably didn’t block linebacker Zaire Franklin, who was lined up between center and right guard and didn’t hide his intentions of blitzing. Franklin came scot-free and crushed Kyler Murray, whose pop-fly deep ball was intercepted by Nixon, who returned it to near midfield.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

What Channel for Packers-Vikings?

CBS will air this NFC North showdown to most of the nation.

Packers-Vikings Inactives

The Packers will line up without a $77 million starter.

This story has been updated with new starter at left guard and an inexperienced interior. https://t.co/pUbxa6OODQ
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 13, 2026

Setting the Tone

Conventional wisdom says the Vikings are the home team and will have the built-in edge in setting the tone. Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin doesn’t buy it.

“We don’t really match anybody’s intensity,” he said. “We set the tone for how we play. We’re going to go out there and play our brand of ball that we’ve been installing and creating that mindset since April. Minnesota’s just the first test. It’s going to be good to put that on tape and let the league know what the Green Bay Packers defense is all about.”

The Packers are 4-3 in opening games under coach Matt LaFleur. With Jordan Love at quarterback, the Packers won at Chicago in 2023, lost to Philadelphia in Brazil in 2024 and beat Detroit at Lambeau last year.

“I think we can set a major tone,” safety Xavier McKinney said. “Obviously it’s a division game to start the season, and what a way to start the season to have a division game, just knowing the history behind the two teams and the matchup. Obviously, it’s always fun to play in Minnesota – the atmosphere is always a great atmosphere – I think it’s a great first game for us, and for them, but for us to be able to set the tone and come out with that right mindset.”

For McKinney, Week 1 is simple. The game will be decided by the building blocks of football rather than unscouted looks and scheme.

“You learn who has been on their fundamentals and their techniques,” he said. “I think early in the season is all about fundamentals and techniques, and whoever makes the least amount of mistakes usually is going to win the game. So, obviously, you’re not really sure about what the other team is going to do, what they’re going to run because it’s the first game of the season so you don’t really know.

“But, luckily, they’ve got the same coordinator so they’re going to run what they’ve been running, but I’m sure there’s going to be some different looks in there that we haven’t seen or that we didn’t prepare for. So, it’s all going to fall back on fundamentals and techniques and who makes the least amount of mistakes is going to win the game.”

My Packers season prediction, which I’m sure you’ll hate. ⬇️https://t.co/CBxBRHzHuh
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 13, 2026

New Coordinators

The Packers have new coordinators on defense with Jonathan Gannon and special teams with Achord. Both coaches will have huge roles on the outcome of the season. Gannon must figure out how to navigate the start of the season without Micah Parsons and Achord must fix and chronically broken special teams.

“I feel really good,” Gannon said. “There’s always an unknown until you line up and play about how it’s going to be.”

The great unknown is the pass rush. The edge rosters on the 53-man roster combined for four sacks last season.

“I feel really good about us being able to affect the passer right now, from what they’ve done in training camp, what they’ve done in some preseason games,” Gannon said. “Even with Micah, you’re going to hear me, it’s always a collective effort.

“I think people just concentrate on the rush. Rush and coverage go together, so it’s not just the guys that are rushing the passer. It’s the back end, how that’s coordinated with the rush. I feel really good about our edge guys. I feel really good about us being able to generate inside, the guys we have inside and, hopefully, we’ll put a couple cool things on tape that make it hard on them.”

It's everyone's favorite story: Three reasons why the Packers will lose today. ⬇️https://t.co/ZdBY7ffW1u

But if you're a glass-half-full person: ⬇️https://t.co/f3dcU1LYe0
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 13, 2026

Packers Are Underdogs

The Vikings, as has been the case all week, are 1.5-point favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is 46.5. About 2 hours before kickoff, 60 percent of the money was on Green Bay to cover.

For over/unders, Jordan Love’s passing yards are 237.5, Christian Watson’s receiving yards are 56.5 (followed by Tucker Kraft at 44.5, Jayden Reed at 43.5 and Matthew Golden at 39.5), and MarShawn Lloyd’s rushing yards are 44.5.

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson’s over/under is 73.5 yards.

Revenge Game for Javon Hargrave

The Packers signed 33-year-old defensive tackle Javon Hargrave not long after he was released by the Vikings in March.

“Of course” that makes this game additionally meaningful, he said.

“I know them guys. I know they’re going to try to come get after me a little bit,” Hargrave said. “So, I’m just really looking forward to the challenge.”

Asked if he was a player who held a grudge or played with a chip on his shoulder or had something to prove, he said:

“I think I’m all of that. Yeah, I can’t lie. I’m pretty much all of that.”

“It’s always something to prove,” he added. “You just hear the down talks and stuff like that and you just want to shut everybody up.”

Hargrave missed the first half of training camp with a knee injury, and the team has been slow to get him ramped up. Entering Year 11 in the NFL, that’s probably the wise approach with a player who doesn’t have much to prove on the practice field but needs to be at his best in the games.

“Yeah, I’m in a great spot right now,” he said. “I feel like I’m in great shape and I’m feeling myself. You got to save a little. It’s kind of hard to go like them guys go, but I think we had a good plan.”

Hargrave will be expected to make an impact, especially on passing downs, in his reunion with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. He’s also a key leader on a unit headlined by 2022 first-round pick Devonte Wyatt but including Karl Brooks (fourth season), Jonathan Ford (drafted in 2022 but only 13 career games), Warren Brinson (second season), Anthony Campbell (first season; zero career games) and Chris McClellan (rookie).

“He's a big addition to the group,” Ford said. “He's a guy that talks to everybody. We joke every day. It's like we've been knowing each other for a few years now. He's a good dude, he's open, he gives us pointers. He's just overall a great dude. He's a great addition to the room, especially with a lot of youth in it. Having somebody like him who's been around and experienced is awesome.”

The challenge this week will be a tough one with the athletic ability of Kyler Murray.

“Explosive athlete. He makes some of the best athletes look slow,” Hargrave said. “So, we know we got to put a hard hat on and everybody’s got to be running.”

As always, @JacobWestendorf's 10 most important players for the Packers is always a good read. He bulked it up to 12 (just in case) for today's game. ⬇️https://t.co/DDHIj0pxey
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 13, 2026

New Number, New Opportunity

Jonathan Ford was a seventh-round pick by the Packers in 2022. He didn’t make their roster in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

For a reward, he got to ditch his No. 64 jersey for No. 96.

“That was the moment I was waiting for,” Ford said. “I just wanted to know if I was going to make the team or not. It happened. I texted Coach. I'm like, ‘Hey, what are we doing?’ He gave me the opportunity to wear it and I changed it. …

“It was something we already talked about. He was already like, ‘The number’s waiting on you, just got to make the team and get ready to go. So, ended up happening, and then I ended up getting the numbers.”

Having been released a few times in his career, Ford said he wasn’t sweating the final outcome of roster cuts.

“Anything can happen, so I was very appreciative and happy that I made it.”

Ford spent all of the preseason with the No. 1 defense. While Javon Hargrave is listed as the No. 1 nose tackle, Ford could have a big role against the power running of Jordan Mason and the slashing ability of Aaron Jones.

“Oh, yes, it’s definitely a big opportunity out there for me,” he said. “Obviously, playing a good team like that and then being able to be in the mix and show what I can show and do, I’m excited. I’m ready to go. …

“It’s been a long four years, but I'm still here. I still kept myself in the fight to give myself an opportunity to go out there and show that I can play in this league and I belong here in this league.

Packers game and season predictions?

Me and @JacobWestendorf got you covered. ⬇️https://t.co/E7HhKdYwAG
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 13, 2026

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