The Green Bay Packers mounted a furious comeback after falling behind 28-0 but couldn’t overcome their own mistakes in a 31-29 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers committed four turnovers, missed two field goals, and committed eight penalties in this loss. They still almost managed an impressive comeback under Jordan Love. The loss dropped the Packers record to 2-2 while the Vikings improved to 4-0 and hold first place in the NFC North. Here are 10 things we learned in the Packers 31-29 loss to the Vikings in Week 4:
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Vikings, Number One: Jordan Love Was Rusty Early
The Packers were excited to have Love back in the lineup, but he struggled in the first half of the game. His accuracy was off and his ability to escape the rush was limited. He completed just 12-of-24 passes and threw two interceptions in the first half.
Many throws were a little high or a little short as Love tried to get comfortable placing weight on his injured knee and following through on his passes. Love was also throwing short in the first half and seemed hesitant to throw downfield.
The Packers starting QB had also played just one game since the Packers playoff loss to the 49ers in January, so he was rusty.
In the second half, Love seemed was more comfortable in the pocket and threw the ball better, although he is clearly not 100 percent.
Number Two: Aaron Jones Had a Good Game in His Return
Former Packers running back Aaron Jones gained 93 yards on 17 carries and caught four passes for 46 more yards. He had a good game against the Packers, but was not a dominant force and did not score a touchdown.
Jones received a warm ovation from the fans before the game and continues to be a class act. He will be a big contributor for the Vikings as long as he remains healthy and in the lineup.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Vikings, Number Three: The Defense Missed Jaire Alexander
The Packers announced cornerback Jaire Alexander would be inactive for this game and it cost them. Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, and Keisean Nixon were beaten early and often at key times in this game.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold completed 20-of-28 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns against the Packers secondary that missed Alexander and Carrington Valentine.
Star receiver Justin Jefferson caught six passes for 85 yards and one score. The Packers also had trouble covering some of the Vikings secondary receivers including Jordan Addison, in part because of the lack of depth at cornerback.
Number Four: Penalties Continue to Be a Problem
The Packers continue to commit too many penalties and remain one of the most penalized teams in the league. They also seem to come at the worst possible times. Against the Vikings, the Pack committed eight penalties for 68 yards and gave the Vikings three key first downs.
The Packers gave the Vikings a lot of help on their second touchdown drive. That included a 15-yard facemask by Edgerrin Cooper, an offsides penalty on Devonte Wyatt, a defensive pass interference call on Stokes, and a holding penalty on Nixon.
The Packers cannot continue to beat themselves and give opponents extra yards or to have big plays called back because of penalties.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Vikings, Number Five: Chrisitan Watson Left the Game Early
Just when the Packers got their starting quarterback back in the lineup, they lost their most dangerous deep threat. Christian Watson suffered an ankle injury late in the first quarter. He got his leg caught under him as he fell on the play and did not return to the game.
Kamu Grugier-Hill intercepted the pass which gave the Vikings the ball in Packers territory and led to their third touchdown drive.
The Packers were hoping Watson would remain healthy after he played just nine games last season. The injury didn’t look good. We are expecting an update on his status early this week.
Wyatt also suffered an ankle injury and did not return. The former Georgia star has played well so far this season. His injury initially appeared less serious than Watson’s, but no official update has been given as to his status.
Number Six: Kicking Remains a Big Problem
Brayden Narveson continues to struggle. He missed both of his field goal tries in a game that the Packers ultimately lost by two points. If he makes either of those kicks, the game has a very different trajectory.
The first miss came from 37 yards out and hit the right upright. The second was a 49-yard attempt that missed wide right. A 37-yard try should be almost automatic in this era of kicking.
The Packers kicker has missed at least one kick in each of the first four games although a penalty wiped out his Week 3 miss.
Don’t be surprised if the Packers bring in some kickers for a tryout this week and may look to replace Narveson.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Vikings, Number Seven: The Packers Did Not Quit
The Packers trailed 28-0 in the second quarter. It would have been easy for the team to give up and maybe even replace Love with Malik Willis for the rest of the game.
Instead, the Packers outscored the Vikings 29-3 the rest of the way and almost pulled off an amazing comeback.
The Packers ultimately fell short, but they showed some determination and fortitude by fighting back in this game.
Number Eight: The Receivers Had a Mixed Game
Jayden Reed continues to play well this season. He finished the game with seven catches on eight targets for 139 yards and a touchdown. Love relied on him late in the game when the Packers were trying to catch up.
Dontavion Wicks struggled at times but made some big plays late. He dropped some catchable passes that were a little behind him but catchable. Wicks finished with five catches for 78 yards and two scores, but he was targeted 13 times and could have made more catches in this game.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Vikings, Number Nine: The Packers Were Taken Out of Their Game Plan Early
With Love returning after missing two games and nursing a sore knee, Matt LaFleur did not plan on throwing 54 passes when he was putting his game plan together. But, when you fall behind 28-0, you have no choice but to pass the ball on nearly every play.
The Packers gained 86 yards on just 19 carries which is a solid 4.5-yard average per carry. But Josh Jacobs ran the ball well, but wasn’t a major factor as a runner once the team fell so far behind.
Number Ten: Xavier McKinney Keeps Making Picks
Safety Xavier McKinney intercepted Darnold early in the third quarter to help keep the Packers in the game. The Vikings led 28-7 and were deep in Packers territory when McKinney made an acrobatic interception at the Green Bay 2. The pick kept the Packers in the game and made the comeback possible.
McKinney now has four interceptions in the Packers first four games this season. The free agent acquisition has been worth every dollar the Pack spent to sign him so far.
Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
Click here for more great Packers coverage
