Despite the fact that the Green Bay Packers never trailed in this game, it was a close game throughout and a game that is critical for their playoff hopes. To start the game off, both defenses were ready to go as both sides punted on their first two possessions. The Packers were ready to change that on their third one though, as they traveled 54 yards in 6 plays, culminating in an Eddie Lacy 1 yard touchdown rush.

The Vikings were not giving up so easily today though, as they put together a 14 play, 76 yard drive of their own on the very next possession, ending with a 22 yard touchdown pass from Teddy Bridgewater to Charles Johnson. The Vikings were really gutsy on this drive as well though, converting 2 fourth downs and showing that they were playing to win from early on in this game.

The Packers couldn't get past midfield on their next possession though, leading to another Tim Masthay punt and the Vikings took over at their 12 yard line. After picking up a first down, Teddy Bridgewater threw the only interception of the game, and the only turnover of the game, when he threw a pass intended for Greg Jennings but caught by Packers safety Micah Hyde. On the ensuing drive, Rodgers found Andrew Quarless on a key play where the run after the catch brought the ball all the way to the 1 yard line. It was the very next play that caused quite possibly the most open touchdown of the year. Aaron Rodgers scrambled to his right and everyone was headed that way, except Richard Rodgers, another tight end, was open in the back left corner of the end zone. Aaron Rodgers found him and it was another touchdown to give the Packers a one touchdown lead, 14-7.

The Vikings would cut into that deficit before halftime though, when Blair Walsh would kick a 39 yard field goal to make it 14-10 Packers at the half.

Being one of the best young kickers in the game, Walsh would add another to his tally part way through the 3rd quarter, this time going for it from long distance, and nailing a 51 yarder in the cold air of Minnesota. Not to be outdone, Mason Crosby came in and on the next possession hit a 48 yarder of his own. They both have strong legs and were putting on a kicking exhibition for anyone who really likes field goals.

After another Minnesota punt by Jeff Locke, the Packers took over at their own 13 yard line. They would put together a drive with a couple of third down conversions, first an 11 yard reception to Jordy Nelson on third and 1, and then an 18 yard Aaron Rodgers scramble on third and 6 from the Green Bay 44 yard line. Once they got into the red zone, Aaron Rodgers was able to find Eddie Lacy when he flipped him the football and Lacy scampered the remaining 10 yards to the end zone to put the Packers up 24-13.

The Vikings would get the ball back with 8:34 left in the game, they took their time driving down the field to try and get the game closer. They only needed to convert one third down on the drive, and they converted it by virtue of a Green Bay Packers neutral zone infraction by outside linebacker Mike Neal. Teddy Bridgewater would find Greg Jennings a few plays later and connect with Charles Johnson for a 2 point conversion to reduce the lead back to three points and hope they could get a chance to tie it with a Blair Walsh field goal. There was only 3:23 left and the Vikings decided to kick it deep while holding two timeouts.

But that was all she wrote for the Vikings, as Eddie Lacy would take 5 carries for 27 yards and then Aaron Rodgers started taking some kneel downs. The victory was huge for the Packers as the Lions also lost on the day, putting the Packers into first place in the NFC North.

Next week, the Packers (8-3) will return home to face the New England Patriots in what will likely be a thrilling contest. Meanwhile the Vikings (4-7) will go on the road next week to face the Carolina Panthers in a game that means quite a bit for the Panthers in the crazy NFC South.