Packers Sacrifice the Scoreboard but Win the Bigger Picture in Minnesota
The final score will show the Green Bay Packers losing 16–3 to the Minnesota Vikings, but that number doesn’t really tell the story of what happened in Minneapolis. This game was never about winning for Green Bay. It was about walking out healthy, protected, and ready for the playoffs — and in that sense, the mission was largely accomplished.
From the very beginning, it was clear the Packers were treating this regular-season finale like a controlled rehearsal. Most of their key starters were kept on the sidelines, including quarterback Jordan Love, who dressed as the backup but never took a snap. With Malik Willis inactive due to lingering shoulder and hamstring issues, the offense was handed to third-string quarterback Clayton Tune. Predictably, points were hard to come by, and the end zone was never reached.
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The inactive list told the real story. Josh Jacobs, Zach Tom, Xavier McKinney, Quay Walker, and Edgerrin Cooper were all given the day off. Top receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs were active but didn’t play, while Dontayvion Wicks remained out due to a concussion. Jayden Reed saw limited snaps early, and once that box was checked, he was mostly pulled as well. Aside from a knee injury to Bo Melton on special teams, the Packers escaped without any major damage — exactly what they wanted.
Minnesota, on the other hand, played to win, even if the postseason was already out of reach. The Vikings finished their season at 9–8, riding a late surge that ultimately wasn’t enough. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy had a frustrating afternoon, even with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at his disposal against a depleted defense. His passes lacked touch, and a glaring miss to a wide-open Addison in the end zone summed up the concern surrounding his development. When McCarthy exited with a hand injury in the third quarter, it only added more questions to what is shaping up to be a defining offseason for Minnesota.
While the Packers’ offense struggled, there were quiet positives. Rookie Barryn Sorrell flashed real promise on the defensive line, recording his first career sack, eight tackles, and even recovering a fumble. His performance could factor into difficult roster decisions this spring. And perhaps the most consistent weapon on the field was punter Daniel Whelan, who showed no rust after weeks away, repeatedly pinning the Vikings deep and flipping field position with booming kicks.
In the end, the Packers leave Minnesota as the NFC’s seventh seed, focused on what comes next. The loss may sting on paper, but Green Bay clearly valued health over headlines — and now, the real games are about to begin.
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