Adrian Peterson came up just short of the NFL single-season rushing record, but he helped the Minnesota Vikings clinch a playoff berth with their 37-34 win against Green Bay on Sunday.
Packers vs. Vikings final score: Minnesota clinches playoff berth with 37-34 win
Led by another big game from Adrian Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings clinched a playoff berth with their 37-34 win against Green Bay.
USA TODAY Sports
Peterson finished with 199 rushing yards, nine yards shy of the single-season record. While he came up short of the record, he was huge for the Vikings all day including on Minnesota’s final drive which set up Blair Walsh’s game-winning 29-yard field goal.
Minnesota led most of the game, taking a 10-0 lead after the first quarter. Green Bay gained just 11 total yards during the first quarter, but began to get things going late in the first half. After trailing 20-10 at halftime, the Packers' offense came alive in the third quarter.
Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes during the third quarter to cut Minnesota's lead to 27-24. Green Bay tied the game 27-27 with 12:25 to go. The teams traded touchdown drives on their next possessions with the Packers tying the game 34-34 on Rodgers fourth touchdown pass of the game.
Minnesota, however, got the ball back and was able to drive into field goal range. Christian Ponder completed a couple of key passes for the Vikings on the drive. He finished 16-of-28 for 234 yards and three touchdowns.
Fantasy studs and duds
As he has been all season, Adrian Peterson was a fantasy stud. Peterson rushed for 199 yards and a touchdown while also catching one pass for two yards and a touchdown.
Aaron Rodgers closed out the fantasy season on a high note as he threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns. Greg Jennings was the biggest beneficiary of Rodgers big day as he came back from the fantasy dead to catch eight passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
Injury report
Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson left the game during the third quarter with a concussion.
Did they cover?
The Packers opened as a 3-point favorite which they failed to cover.
What’s next?
With Green Bay’s loss and San Francisco’s win against Arizona, the Packers are the No. 3 seed in the playoffs and will host the Vikings next week.
Minnesota punched it’s ticket to the playoffs with the win and will now be rewarded with a rematch against the Packers next week at Green Bay.
See More:
