Green Bay's defense gets a pair of third-and-1 stops
Wes Hodkiewicz
MINNEAPOLIS - A Packers defense resting most of its starters forced a pair of third-and-1 stops in the first quarter, but Green Bay trails 3-0 to the Vikings after Will Reichard's 43-yard field goal.
Vikings lead Packers 3-0 after first quarter
Green Bay won the opening coin toss and elected to defer. The Packers elected to sit most of their defensive starters, though Keisean Nixon and Trevon Diggs started at perimeter cornerback. Evan Williams also rotated in a safety in nickel when Johnathan Baldwin moved down to slot cornerback.
J.J. McCarthy led Minnesota down the field on the Vikings' opening possession before picking up a taunting penalty after a 6-yard run to push them back to second-and-19 at the Green Bay 38.
Minnesota gained 13 yards before settling for a 43-yard Will Reichard field goal to put the Vikings up 3-0 with 10 minutes, 27 second left in the first quarter.
With Jordan Love serving as backup, Clayton Tune started at quarterback for Green Bay. The Packers went three-and-out on their first possession after Emanuel Wilson gained one yard on two carries before Andrew Van Ginkel broke up a Tune pass on third-and-9.
Daniel Whelan boomed a 62-yard punt that Bo Melton downed at the Minnesota 2.
Jordan Mason gained 11 yards on first down, but the Vikings were forced to punt after Packers linebacker Jamon Johnson tackled Mason for no gain on third-and-1. Green Bay took over at its 30.
Chris Brooks broke a 10-yard run to open. The Packers went no-huddle and Tune completed his first pass to Drake Dabney for three yards. On third-and-5 from the Green Bay 45, Dallas Turner had a strip sack of Tune that the Packers recovered.
Whelan's 68-yard punt went for a touchback. Rookie fifth-round pick Collin Oliver, making his NFL debut, pressured McCarthy into a throwaway from the Minnesota 38.
That play helped set up Barryn Sorrell stopping Ty Chandler for a 1-yard loss on third-and-1 to force another Vikings punt. Green Bay took over at its 10.
