Vikings vs. Packers Live Score Updates: NFL Regular Season Week 1
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It's finally time for Vikings football.
The rival Packers are in town for a huge NFC North showdown to kick off the 2022 season at U.S. Bank Stadium. The two teams have split the series in each of the past two seasons, and the Vikings have actually won two in a row against Green Bay with Kirk Cousins at quarterback. That includes a 34-31 victory last Week 11 in Minneapolis.
Aaron Rodgers is the two-time defending NFL MVP, but he'll be without his top two wide receivers from last season in Davante Adams (traded this offseason) and Allen Lazard (injured). He'll also be playing behind an offensive line missing both of its starting tackles. The full inactive lists can be found here.
This is the first game as a head coach for Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, who replaced Mike Zimmer this offseason. After Minnesota held out most of its starters during the preseason, we should learn a lot about O'Connell's team this afternoon.
It's a revenge game for Vikings defensive starters Za'Darius Smith and Chandon Sullivan, both of whom signed with the Vikings in free agency after playing for the Packers. Smith and Danielle Hunter will be looking to get after Rodgers in their matchups against backup tackles.
Here's some preview content to get you ready for the game:
- Three Key Matchups to Watch on Sunday
- The Ten Most Important Players on the 2022 Minnesota Vikings
- Vikings-Packers Predictions: Who Wins the NFC North Rivalry Showdown?
Follow along below with live updates from the stadium, and follow me on Twitter for additional updates, analysis, and highlights.
Final Score: Vikings 23, Packers 7
Fourth Quarter
Vikings 23, Packers 7
6:48 — Greg Joseph's third field goal of the game puts the Vikings up by 16.
11:52 — D.J. Wonnum cleans things up with a massive sack of Aaron Rodgers on third down. The Packers were threatening to make things interesting, and now the Vikings can pull away with a touchdown.
Third Quarter
Vikings 20, Packers 7
5:16 — The Packers finally get on the board. A.J. Dillon gets in the end zone from a couple yards out to complete a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
Vikings 20, Packers 0
9:46 — The Vikings keep it rolling to begin the second half. Jordan Hicks sacked Aaron Rodgers, forcing a fumble that Dalvin Tomlinson recovered. Then Greg Joseph drilled a 56-yard field goal to extend the lead.
Second Quarter
0:27 — Aaron Rodgers just threw his first interception against an NFC North team since 2019. It was the 30th pick of Harrison Smith's career.
Vikings 17, Packers 0
0:35 — Justin Jefferson is having himself an all-time day. He just caught a 36-yard touchdown pass, his second of the afternoon, to extend the Vikings' lead. Jefferson already has 6 catches for 158 yards and two scores. He was somehow wide open on that last play.
Vikings 10, Packers 0
3:54 — The Vikings add a field goal to extend their lead. Cousins hit Justin Jefferson for 64 yards earlier in the drive, but Jefferson couldn't quite get his second foot down in the end zone on third down. He has 4 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown already.
7:58 — A long Packers drive ends at the goal line with A.J. Dillon getting stuffed on fourth and goal. The Vikings get the ball back and keep the Packers off the scoreboard.
First Quarter
1:52 — Za'Darius Smith gets his revenge. He just sacked Aaron Rodgers on third down for his first sack as a Viking.
5:27 — After the Vikings' opening drive touchdown, each team has punted. Packers rookie WR Christian Watson dropped a would-be 75-yard touchdown on Green Bay's first offensive play. Kirk Cousins was sacked by Rashan Gary to end the Vikings' second possession.
Vikings 7, Packers 0
9:17 — The first offensive possession of the Kevin O'Connell era couldn't have gone much better. Kirk Cousins went 7/8 for 73 yards and a TD, with three of those completions — including the touchdown — going to Justin Jefferson. The TD came on 4th and 1 from the 5.
