The last time I wrote about a random game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, I covered a 1999 matchup the Packers had won. The 2026 Packers proceeded to lose in spectacular fashion to open the season, and I think it’s because I jinxed them. Following that same logic, I’m using my voodoo magic to conjure up a win for Week 10. This week’s random Packers vs. Vikings game is the 90th meeting between the two teams, when the Packers lost 20-17 on November 21st, 2005.
Entering the Game
The 2005 Packers were…pretty
bad! They lost WR Javon Walker to a torn ACL in Week 1, and both RBs Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport were placed on IR with leg injuries. With a 2-7 record coming into their matchup against the 4-5 Vikings, the Packers had turned the ball over 20 times already. This was a far cry from the team who had won the NFC North at 10-6 the previous year while having two WRs with 1,200+ yards (Javon Walker and Donald Driver) AND a 1,100 yard rusher (Ahman Green). The team had already lost to Minnesota by 3 points in Week 7—it was time to right the ship.
On the Vikings’ side, they had recently lost starting QB Daunte Culpepper to a catastrophic knee injury. Taking his place was veteran Brad Johnson, who had the Vikings on a bit of a hot streak after two straight wins. Losing Culpepper certainly wasn’t ideal, but the Vikings were finding ways to win.
Key Moments
After a missed 49-yard field goal attempt by the Vikings on their opening drive, QB Brett Favre and the Packers offense responded by going 3 and out. The Vikings offense proceeded to do exactly the same thing. The first score of the game came on the Packers’ next drive after a couple of big plays, including a 30 yard pass to RB Samkon Gado, and then a 15 yard pass to WR Donald Driver in the endzone.
The Vikings’ next drive ended with an interception by S Nick Collins. Things were looking up for the Packers! Just kidding. Both offenses proceeded to combine for 6 straight punts. Favre then decided enough was enough—someone needed to score! So he threw a 51 yard pick-six to CB Dovonte Edwards.
With about 30 seconds left in the 2nd quarter, the gunslinger rattled off a 53-yard yard pass to Donald Driver, and the Packers found themselves with a 14-7 lead at halftime.
After more unsavory play by both offenses, the Vikings tied it up 14-14 in the 3rd quarter after RB Ciatrick Fason rushed for a 1 yard TD, capping off a nearly 9 minute drive. This would be the final touchdown scored by either team. The teams proceeded to trade punts and field goals, and with 3 seconds left, Vikings K Paul Edinger nailed the 27 yard dagger. Packers lose, 20-17.
Brett Favre finished the day 20 of 33 for 227 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs. Tony Fisher led the team on the ground, finishing with a whopping 14 yards on 4 carries, while Donald Driver finished with 5 catches on 9 targets for 84 yards and 2 TDs.
All the big moments from this game can be found here.
The Outcome
The Packers fell to 2-8 on the season, and would go on to win just 2 more games all year, finishing 4-12 for the team’s first losing record since 1991 (also 4-12). The 2005 Packers turned the ball over 45 times, while scoring just 31 TDs on offense. HC Mike Sherman was fired less than a year after receiving a contract extension, and the team replaced him with Another Mike™, Mike McCarthy. Their 4-12 record earned them the 5th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, which they used to select LB A.J. Hawk.
The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will meet for the 133rd time on Sunday, during the day’s early slate of games at 1pm ET/12pm CT.
