The Green Bay Packers needed a win Sunday to lock up first place in the NFC and a first-round bye, and they got just that. Playing a Minnesota Vikings team that was giving Sean Mannion only his third NFL start (and his first since 2019) thanks to Kirk Cousins being placed in COVID-19 protocols this week, the Packers only led 3-0 after the first quarter, but expanded that lead to 20-3 by halftime and never looked back en route to a 37-10 win. Aaron Rodgers completed 29 of 38 pass attempts for 288 yards and two touchdowns, with Davante Adams (11 catches for 136 yards) and Allen Lazard (six catches for 72 yards) each catching one touchdown pass, while Aaron Jones collected 76 yards on eight carries and A.J. Dillion rushed 14 times for 63 yards and two touchdowns. Here are some highlights from that game:
Rodgers chucks it up to Lazard for SIX. #GoPackGo
📺: #MINvsGB on NBC
📱: https://t.co/nJofcz3BpO pic.twitter.com/IwzDK1tAV3— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2022
They can't be stopped. @AaronRodgers12 @tae15adams
📺: #MINvsGB on NBC
📱: https://t.co/nJofcz3BpO pic.twitter.com/kpPvHZNhym— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2022
AJ Dillon is TOO STRONG. #GoPackGo
📺: #MINvsGB on NBC
📱: https://t.co/nJofcz3BpO pic.twitter.com/7hgyNISS3D— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2022
AJ DILLON. QUADFATHER.
📺: #MINvsGB on NBC
📱: https://t.co/nJofcz3BpO pic.twitter.com/nXJw505KwW— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2022
While the Packers’ win locks up first place for them, it also eliminates the Vikings (now 7-9) from playoff contention thanks to earlier wins by other teams. The current NFC wild-card slots are held by the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles, both 9-7, while the New Orleans Saints are still in contention at 8-8 following a win over the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans would need to beat the Atlanta Falcons next week and have the 49ers lose to the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, the Packers will finish the regular season against the Detroit Lions, then have a bye before their playoff game.
[NFL.com; photo from Dan Powers/Appleton Post-Crescent, via USA Today Sports]
