Green Bay Packers v. Vikings: Instant Takeaways from Disappointing Loss

Here are some initial thoughts from the Green Bay Packers disappointing loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

The Green Bay Packers are the superior team, but in windy conditions that affected the passing games along with a run defense that didn’t come close to slowing down Dalvin Cook, the Minnesota Vikings came away with the win.

This loss hurts and the Packers will now have a quick turnaround as they face San Francisco on Thursday night. But first, here are the instant takeaways from today’s performance.

• The Green Bay Packers had only two offensive possessions by halftime, but they were beautiful. The Packers came away with two touchdowns on 28 plays while holding the ball for nearly 17 minutes.
• The wind was definitely a factor. We saw a lot of runs and short passes today.
• As he has been for much of his career against the Packers, Dalvin Cook was an absolute problem. This Green Bay defense had no answers.
• Speaking of the Packer defense, what an ugly performance. They couldn’t stop the run, couldn’t get off the field on third downs, and their tackling was horrendous.
• Oh, and did I mention the pass rush? The Packer pass rush has been non-existent for much of the year and it was the same today against a Vikings’ OL that hasn’t been very good this season. Now, I will say that they didn’t get any help from Minnesota running the ball heavily and Kirk Cousins getting rid of the ball quick, but when they did have an opportunity they didn’t capitalize. At all.
• Preston Smith was unimpressive again. Even being blocked by tight ends on a few occasions.
• Once again, Mike Pettine is going to catch a lot of flack, and I understand why, but at some point, the players have to make plays.
• No. More. Three. Man. Rushes.
• With the wind, it wasn’t the same Davante Adams’ performance against the Vikings that we’ve seen recently, but he was still very efficient.
• There weren’t any huge plays from Jamaal Williams but it was another solid day for him as he averaged nearly five yards per carry.
• For the most part, Billy Turner and Rick Wagner held up well at the tackle positions again.
• Penalties were an issue against Tampa Bay and they were an issue again today.
• After a promising game in Houston, the Green Bay defensive linemen and linebackers really struggled against Minnesota.
• The Green Bay Packers’ offense has now scored on their first possession in every game this season.
• It was also a nice day for Robert Tonyan and Jace Sternberger.

• Equanimeous St. Brown bounced back with a catch but those two drops were brutal. While they were difficult receptions, they were receptions he should have made.
• Once again, receivers not named Davante Adams were fairly underwhelming.
• We saw A.J. Dillon featured more today and he came away with his first NFL reception.
• This run defense could be in some serious trouble again this Thursday against the 49ers.