After what can only be described as a bowling-shoe-ugly first half, the Minnesota Vikings rallied behind a stellar second half to defeat the Green Bay Packers 39-22. Minnesota would score 29 unanswered points after falling behind 22-10 to begin the year 1-0. Here are two winners and losers from the Vikings' Week 1 performance.
Winner: Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson scored his first touchdown at home since late 2024, and would double up late in the fourth quarter in what can be described as a vintage Jefferson performance. Through a quarterback change, Jefferson posted 8 receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including a two-point conversion. This is the kind of week-one performance that should instill confidence in this offense.
Loser: The Vikings' secondary
Completion percentage aside, Jordan
Love torched this Minnesota Vikings secondary for 387 yards and two touchdowns. The middle of the field was wide open all day long for Love and the Packers, and guys like Christian Watson (147 yards, two touchdowns) and Matthew Golden (95 yards) ran wild all game long with little resistance from Minnesota.
Winner: Minnesota's second-half defense
Here are the breakdowns from each half:
- First half: 19 points
- Second half: 3 points
Brian Flores is a madman in the best way possible. The adjustments made at halftime were vital, making life miserable for Love. In the second half alone, Minnesota had four sacks and two turnovers forced. The guys were flying up front, constantly stuffing the inside run game and getting in the face of Love early on dropbacks.
Loser: Kyler Murray
The maiden voyage for Kyler Murray in Minnesota got off on the wrong foot, as Murray threw an interception on his opening drive and suffered a concussion after a late hit while sliding on his second drive. We will have to wait until next week, maybe longer, for the real debut of Murray with the Vikings.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Winners and Losers from Vikings Week 1 win over the Packers
