MINNEAPOLIS — For the second year in a row, the Packers came out of the gate with a subdued performance, losing the season opener on Sunday at US Bank Stadium 23-7 against NFC North rivals the Vikings. Minnesota led 20-0, mainly thanks to a great performance from WR Justin Jefferson before the Packers scored in the second half.
Jefferson had nine catches for his career-high 184 yards and two touchdowns, nearly single-handedly beating the Packers. RB Dalvin Cook added 90 rushing yards on 20 carries. Those two were all the Vikings needed on offense, QB Kirk Cousins said he had 277 yards and he had 23 of 32 yards, 2 TDs, no INT, a passer he rated 118.9. The Vikings would have scored on their first possession of the game, and the Packers would have responded in the first game, but rookie WR Christian Watson dropped a 75-yard touchdown when he fell wide behind the defense. Green Bay also fumbled when they went from 1st to 4th and scored a goal to make it 7–0 in the second quarter. RB AJ Dillon was crammed into an inside run without a shotgun and the Vikings took over their own 1-yard line and drove 89 yards for a 10-0 field goal.
The Vikings led 17–0 at halftime and added a field goal early in the third quarter on QB Aaron Rodgers' sack fumble.
Rodgers had 195 yards in INT, 22 of 34 yards, and a 67.6 passer rating that kept him harassed all day. Dillon scored Green Bay's only TD, and from scrimmage he gained 91 yards (45 rushing, 46 receiving). Rookie WR Romeo Dubs led wideouts for 37 yards where he recorded four catches.
The Packers also suffered multiple injuries as G John Runian (concussion), CB Keesian Nixon (shoulder), LB Key Walker (shoulder) and LB Chris Barnes (ankle) all left the game.
