![]() Former Packers linebacker Za'Darius Smith and running back Dalvin Cook egged on the Lambeau Field fans at the end of pregame warmups, as if to say the Vikings were no longer afraid of their biggest rival and the NFC North's longtime standard-bearer.īut as the sun faded out of view, Lambeau's grass grew slippery and the Packers' points piled up, the Vikings were left to question just how solid their footing is before the playoffs. 11 thumping of Green Bay, was bidding to become the first Vikings coach in 30 years to sweep the Packers in his first season. Kevin O'Connell, the coach whose first NFL win came in the Vikings' Sept. The Packers, not the Vikings, were fighting for their postseason lives. This time? The Vikings, not the Packers, had already clinched the NFC North. Three-hundred sixty-four days before, the Vikings had left Lambeau Field with freezing fingers and frayed nerves, after a 37-10 defeat that eliminated them from playoff contention and assured they'd have a new head coach. Late-afternoon sun shone brilliantly over Lambeau Field the stadium's video boards delivered news the Vikings would still have a chance at home-field advantage through the playoffs with the Eagles' loss to the Saints. Temperatures pushed near 40 degrees, ushering a larger-than-normal contingent of Vikings fans eastward in smooth driving conditions. The first day of 2023 began with such promise for a team, and a fan base, that has treated this season as a renewal. Then they lost 31-3 to Los Angeles.GREEN BAY, WIS. The last time the Vikings scored only three points was three years ago. “Maybe it’s written somewhere that you are supposed to win … or you’re supposed to lose,” said Grant. ![]() “But for McGeorge I could have gone all the way,” said Krause. Krause, who got the game ball, made another lifesaver in the third quarter by recovering a fumble, again on the three when Jim Marshall had jarred the ball loose from Anderson. Later Krause came over form the other side to help out Gersbach and make the interception on the three when Anderson had Gersbach beat. ![]() ![]() Wally Hilgenberg, Alan Page and Marshall twice stopped Donny Anderson cold when the Packers had third down two feet to go for a first down and a yard and a half for the TD. The defense on the field for 60 percent of the time – “We ought to get double on our pension time,” quipped Jim Marshall – authored four more big plays in the second and third quarters. It yielded 301 total offense yards while fashioning their third 1971 shutout.Ĭarl Gersbach started the trend by getting “two fingers” on Lou Michaels’ 23-yard field goal in the first quarter. The Viking defense carried Grant’s “bend but don’t break” theme to extremes. That was about the only way to explain the victory in the face of the Packers’ huge statistical edge. “We made a lot of big plays,” said Grant. The accolades should go to the whole defense, the whole team.” “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. “I am not the man of the hour,” disagreed West when someone suggested that was his role at Metropolitan Stadium yesterday. Fred Cox’s field goal, almost automatic even in the tricky winds, gave them all the points they needed with West’s second interception wrapping it up. (Staff Photo by Earl Seubert)Īnd led by Dave Osborn, they took advantage for their most sustained drive, all of 32 yards. It was one of three Vikings interceptions. Paul Krause, Minnesota's free safety, intercepted this pass from Green Bay's Scott Hunter, intended for Donny Anderson (44) and returned it 31 yards. It was only the third time the Vikings had enjoyed such field position. Stumbling momentarily, he recovered and ran all the way to midfield. His super play did not stop with his catch in the end zone. Hunter threw and West, slightly in front of McGeorge, jumped. Charlie was playing strong safety for the first time in two years because of Karl Kassulke’s injury. “We were in man-to-man defense and I stuck with him (intended receiver Rich McGeorge) to the outside,” said West. But Hunter admittedly “got greedy” and passed. “We were prepared to play the run first,” said Viking defensive coach Neill Armstrong. At that stage he reasoned three points were as good as a million. He knew the Vikings hadn’t scored a touchdown in two weeks. Naturally the Packers, who rushed for 245 yards, would call on John Brockington who contributed 149 himself.ĭevine had been preaching to Hunter on the sidelines “for five minutes” that a field goal would win the game. The Packers, taking advantage of a rare penalty – defensive holding against John Ward on their punt – had moved to the Viking eight-yard-line, second down, goal-to-go. The box score is hard to read, so I'll pull out one key stat: Minnesota QB Gary Cuozzo completed 5 of 11 passes for 42 yards.
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