The Green Bay Packers rested many key players including their top two quarterbacks in a lackluster 16-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers didn’t score until the final play of the game when Brandon McManus kicked a field goal to break the shutout. The game did not have any impact on the Packers playoff seeding or opponent. They will start the playoffs as the seventh seed in the NFC and will travel to Chicago to take on the Bears. The loss drops the Packers record to 9-7-1 while the Vikings finish the season 9-8. Here are 10 things we learned from the Packers 16-3 loss to the Vikings in Week 18:

Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 16-3 Loss to the Vikings in Week 18, Number One: The Offense Could Not Move the Ball

The Packers offense failed to move the football throughout the game. The longest gain by the offense was a 16-yard scramble by quarterback Clayton Tune. The longest pass gained just eight yards.

The offense didn’t turn the ball over, but the Packers punted eight times in 10 offensive possessions. Their only offensive drive of more than 30 yards came at the very end of the game when they scored their only points.

The Vikings knew the Packers couldn’t pass well and concentrated on stopping the run. It made it difficult for the Packers to do much on offense.

At the half, the Packers had 12 total net yards on 20 offensive plays.

Number Two: This Was the Worst Passing Game in Nearly 50 Years

The Packers finished the game with minus-seven yards net passing. That’s the first time in nearly 50 years the Pack finished with negative net yards passing in a game.

The last time it happened was Week 3 of the 1976 season when the Packers lost to the Bengals 28-7 and finished with negative 35 yards net passing. In that game, Lynn Dickey and Carlos Brown combined to complete just 5-of-23 passes for 45 yards while the Packers were sacked six times for 80 yards in losses.

In this game, Tune completed 6-of-11 passes for 34 yards while being sacked four times for 41 yards in losses. Or course, the current rules favor the offense a lot more than they did in 1976.

Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 16-3 Loss to the Vikings in Week 18, Number Three: The Defense Played OK

Statistically, the Packers defense played well considering how many starters were inactive or just did not play. Of course, the Vikings had an inexperienced quarterback playing with an injured hand and an even more inexperienced backup who played much of the second half.

The Vikings were just 2-of-10 on third down in the game and scored just 16 points.

The defense recorded two sacks although the pressure was not consistent.

The rushing defense continued to struggle as the Vikings gained 137 yards on the ground on 31 carries, good for 4.4-yards per attempt.

Number Four: Some Young Players Stepped Up on Defense

A few young players took advantage of the opportunity they had to start or play extensively. Rookie Barryn Sorrell recorded a sack, had a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble. He made eight total tackles including five solo stops.

Brenton Cox also played well. He recorded a sack and led the team with three quarterback hits. He forced a fumble and had one tackle for loss.

Collin Oliver made his NFL debut in this game and recorded two quarterback hits and one tackle for loss.

Linebacker Jamon Johnson saw his first action on defense and led the team in tackles with 10. He also deflected a pass.

Trevon Diggs made two tackles in his Packers debut.

Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 16-3 Loss to the Vikings in Week 18, Number Five: Clayton Tune Is Not Ready

It’s probably unfair for a player who spent the entire season on the practice squad to play in the final two games of the season and to start the finale. But fair or not, that’s where Tune found himself. He did not show much.

Tune completed just 6-of-11 passes for 34 yards. He was sacked four times, mostly because his release is extremely slow.

The former University of Houston star just didn’t look ready to start an NFL game. He remains the Packers third-string quarterback but doesn’t seem ready to be more than that.

Number Six: Matthew Golden Failed to Step Up

The Packers rested Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs while Dontayvion Wicks was inactive with a concussion. The expectation was that rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden would get a lot of playing time and be the primary target.

In fairness to Golden, the Packers weren’t playing a quarterback who could get him the ball effectively. However, Golden had just one catch for eight yards in the game.

Golden dropped two passes, his first two drops of the season. He finished his rookie season without a touchdown.

This was a disappointing finish to a rookie campaign that started with such promise for Golden.

Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 16-3 Loss to the Vikings in Week 18, Number Seven: Chris Brooks Was the Best Weapon on Offense

The offense didn’t play well, but third string running back Chris Brooks proved a bright spot for Green Bay. Brooks gained 61 yards on 13 carries, an average of 4.7-yards per carry.

By comparison, Emanuel Wilson ran 18 times for just 44 yards, an average of just 2.4-yards per attempt.

The run blocking remains an issue, but Brooks was the offense’s most productive player in this game.

Number Eight: Daniel Whelan was the MVP

Punter Daniel Whelan continued his strong play this season. Whelan punted eight times and averaged 53.9-yards per punt. Five of his eight kicks landed inside the 20.

Whelan finished the season averaging more than 50 yards per punt. That makes him the first punter in franchise history to average more than 50 yards per punt in a season.

Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 16-3 Loss to the Vikings in Week 18, Number Nine: Jordan Morgan Struggled

Former first-round pick Jordan Morgan got the start at left tackle and he struggled at times. He allowed a couple of sacks including one where he failed to pick up his man who ran right by him unimpeded to the quarterback.

Morgan will compete for the starting left tackle job next season, especially if the Packers opt not to re-sign Rasheed Walker. He could have made a statement about claiming the job, but he failed to do so.

Number 10: The Playoffs Await

Despite losing their final four games, the Packers qualified for the playoffs as the seventh and final seed in the NFC. This is the third straight year Green Bay has been the seventh and final playoff qualifier.

Their opponent will be the Chicago Bears who they will face for the third time this season after splitting the first two games.

The Packers certainly will have revenge on their mind after blowing a late lead in Chicago in Week 16. This will be the third time the Packers and Bears have met in the playoffs. The last time was the 2010 NFC Championship Game which was also in Chicago. The Packers won that game 21-14 and went on to win Super Bowl XLV.

The Packers have a lot to overcome to beat the Bears, but they should have Jordan Love back to face a very familiar opponent.

 

 

 

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