Introduction
The Packers vs Vikings season opener turned into another painful chapter for Green Bay. The Packers led 22-10 early in the third quarter, but Minnesota stormed back to win 39-22 on September 13, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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The collapse was especially troubling because it looked familiar. Green Bay had struggled to protect leads late in games during the previous season, and the same problem resurfaced immediately in 2026.
The Vikings, meanwhile, found an unlikely hero in Carson Wentz. The veteran quarterback entered after Kyler Murray left the game following a concussion-causing hit and calmly guided Minnesota’s offense through four consecutive touchdown drives.
Vikings
For Green Bay, the loss was not simply about one bad quarter. It raised questions about late-game decision-making, defensive discipline, pass protection, and whether the team has genuinely solved the issues that undermined its previous campaign.
Background and Context
The Packers entered the season with a clear objective: finish games better.
Green Bay’s previous season had ended with a playoff loss to the Chicago Bears after the Packers had held an 18-point second-half lead. The team also experienced late collapses against Chicago and Denver.
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Head coach Matt LaFleur spent the offseason emphasizing the importance of finishing every drill and every play. The message was simple: Green Bay needed to become more reliable when games entered their most important stages.
The Vikings presented a difficult opening challenge. Minnesota had a talented defensive front, and its offense featured a quarterback situation that changed dramatically when Murray was forced to leave.
The Packers vs Vikings matchup therefore carried two central questions:
- Could Green Bay protect a lead when Minnesota began applying pressure?
- Could the Vikings maintain offensive production after losing their starting quarterback?
The answers became clear in the fourth quarter.
Latest Update: Vikings Defeat Packers 39-22
NFL Week 1 • September 13, 2026
Minnesota Vikings 39, Green Bay Packers 22
Final
Minnesota Vikings
39
Green Bay Packers
22
Venue
U.S. Bank Stadium
Records
Vikings 1-0, Packers 0-1
Green Bay starts strongly
The Packers appeared to be in control for much of the first half and early third quarter.
Green Bay led 22-10 early in the third quarter and still held a 22-17 advantage early in the fourth. The team had enough offensive production to build a lead, but it could not sustain that advantage once Minnesota found its rhythm.
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The turning point came when Green Bay declined an opportunity to take a potentially valuable field goal.
The fourth-quarter collapse
The Packers were outscored 22-0 in the fourth quarter. Minnesota also scored 29 unanswered points after Green Bay’s early lead began to disappear.
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That fourth-quarter margin explains why the final score looked so much more decisive than the game had been earlier.
The Vikings took advantage of Green Bay’s mistakes, while the Packers struggled to produce the stops needed to protect their lead.
Matt LaFleur’s fourth-down decision
One of the most discussed moments came when Green Bay had the opportunity to kick a 40-yard field goal with 13:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The field goal would have given the Packers an eight-point lead. Instead, LaFleur removed the points after Minnesota jumped offside, choosing to attempt fourth-and-1.
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The Packers failed to convert the quarterback sneak.
That decision did not single-handedly cause the defeat, but it became a major part of the postgame conversation. Green Bay had an opportunity to create a two-possession game and instead gave Minnesota another chance to build momentum.
Carson Wentz changes the game
Wentz entered after Murray left the game early.
The veteran quarterback finished with four touchdown passes, leading Minnesota to a comeback victory. His ability to remain composed helped the Vikings maintain their offensive rhythm despite the sudden change at quarterback.
Vikings
Wentz’s performance was particularly impressive because he did not appear to need an extended adjustment period. He stepped into the huddle, managed the offense, and delivered the production Minnesota needed.
Jordan Love produces, but the Packers still lose
Jordan Love threw for 389 yards and two touchdowns, both to tight end Tucker Kraft. However, he was sacked four times, lost a fumble, and absorbed 15 hits against Minnesota’s blitz-heavy defense.
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The numbers show that Love was productive as a passer, but the pressure he faced made it difficult for Green Bay to sustain its offense.
The Vikings’ defensive performance was one of the biggest reasons the Packers could not protect their lead.
Expert Insights and Analysis
1. Green Bay’s late-game problems are becoming a pattern
The most concerning part of the Packers vs Vikings loss is how closely it resembled earlier failures.
ESPN reported that Green Bay has now lost six consecutive games, including playoffs, dating back to last season. In four of those games, the Packers held leads of more than one score.
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That is no longer a problem that can be dismissed as bad luck.
The Packers have repeatedly reached winning positions and failed to close games. The issue now involves coaching decisions, execution, defensive communication, and the team’s ability to maintain composure under pressure.
2. The defense must stop giving opponents second chances
Green Bay managed to get defensive stops during the game, but several were erased by penalties.
Two third-down stops were wiped out by penalties, including illegal contact and roughing the passer. A late interception in the end zone was also negated by defensive holding.
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Those mistakes were costly because they extended Minnesota’s possessions and allowed the Vikings to continue attacking.
A defense can survive occasional penalties. It cannot repeatedly give an opponent new opportunities during a comeback.
3. Minnesota’s pass rush dominated the line of scrimmage
The Vikings recorded four sacks and pressured Love throughout the game.
According to ESPN Analytics and NFL Next Gen Stats, Minnesota posted a 90.6% pass-rush win rate, the highest recorded by any team in a game since 2022.
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That figure explains why the Packers offense struggled to close out the game.
Love’s 389 passing yards show that he was capable of moving the football, but the constant pressure disrupted the offense’s rhythm and made it harder for Green Bay to respond after Minnesota took control.
4. Carson Wentz deserves credit for his composure
Wentz’s role in the comeback was not simply about throwing touchdown passes.
The veteran quarterback entered unexpectedly and had to assume responsibility for an offense that had already lost its starting quarterback. He told the Vikings’ official website that his job was to present confidence to his teammates, regardless of what he was feeling internally.
Vikings
That kind of composure matters when a team is attempting to erase a large deficit.
Wentz did not need to play spectacularly in every possession. He needed to make sound decisions and give Minnesota’s offense a chance to finish drives. He did exactly that.
5. The Packers’ offensive line faces difficult questions
Love’s four sacks and 15 hits are a serious warning sign.
The Packers must improve their pass protection, particularly against aggressive defensive fronts. Minnesota’s pressure packages disrupted the timing of Green Bay’s passing game and forced Love to operate under constant stress.
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The offensive line will need to improve its communication and protection schemes before the next game.
Broader Implications
What the loss means for the Packers
Green Bay now has to address a problem that has followed the team from one season into the next.
The Packers’ biggest challenge is not simply producing yards. It is turning leads into victories.
The team must examine how it manages fourth-down decisions, how it handles pressure, and why its defense repeatedly allows opponents to regain momentum.
The loss also puts additional pressure on LaFleur. His emphasis on finishing games has not yet translated into results.
What the win means for the Vikings
Minnesota’s comeback was one of the most encouraging performances of the opening weekend.
The Vikings overcame an early deficit, lost their starting quarterback, and still found a way to score 29 unanswered points after the game began slipping away from them.
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The result gives Minnesota confidence in its offensive depth and defensive pressure.
It also suggests that the Vikings can compete in difficult games even when circumstances change unexpectedly.
Why the Packers vs Vikings matchup is trending
The supplied Google Trends screenshot shows a sharp spike in searches for “packers vs vikings,” with related terms including:
- Vikings
- Carson Wentz
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Vikings game
- Packers score
- Packers collapse
- Jordan Love
- Packers defense
The search interest reflects the dramatic reversal in the game.
Fans searched for the matchup not only because of the final score, but also because of the Packers’ inability to protect another lead and Wentz’s unexpected starring role.
The trend demonstrates how quickly NFL search interest can shift when a game produces a major comeback, a quarterback change, and a controversial coaching decision.
Related History and Comparable NFL Storylines
The Packers and Vikings are NFC North rivals, making their matchups important for divisional positioning.
The rivalry has featured plenty of close games, but this particular opener stood out because of the way Minnesota overcame a substantial deficit.
The game also fits a familiar NFL storyline: a veteran backup quarterback enters unexpectedly and leads a team to victory.
Wentz’s performance is a reminder that quarterback depth can become critical at any moment. A team that prepares its backup properly can survive a major injury or in-game exit.
For Green Bay, the more important historical comparison is its recent pattern of late collapses. The Packers cannot continue relying on early leads if they cannot close games.
What Happens Next
The Packers will return to work with several urgent priorities:
- Improve pass protection and reduce the number of hits absorbed by Jordan Love.
- Eliminate defensive penalties that extend opponents’ drives.
- Find a more reliable approach to protecting fourth-quarter leads.
- Review fourth-down decision-making in close situations.
- Improve late-game defensive communication and execution.
The Vikings will look to build on their comeback victory while managing the quarterback situation following Murray’s early exit.
The Packers vs Vikings matchup showed that Minnesota can overcome adversity, but the Vikings will need to prove they can sustain that performance throughout the season.
For Green Bay, the next game is an opportunity to demonstrate that the latest collapse was a warning rather than a continuation of last year’s problems.
Conclusion
The Packers vs Vikings opener delivered a stunning result for Minnesota and another difficult night for Green Bay.
The Vikings won 39-22 after overcoming a 12-point deficit, while Carson Wentz threw four touchdown passes after Kyler Murray left the game. Green Bay, meanwhile, struggled to protect its lead, committed costly penalties, and could not handle Minnesota’s pass rush.
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The most important takeaway is not simply that the Packers lost.
It is that the team again failed to finish a game it appeared capable of winning.
Matt LaFleur and the Packers now face the challenge of turning offseason lessons into actual improvement. Until they do, every late lead will come with questions about whether Green Bay can hold on.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Packers vs Vikings game?
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers 39-22 on September 13, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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2. What was the final score of Packers vs Vikings?
The Vikings won 39-22 after outscoring the Packers 22-0 in the fourth quarter.
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3. How did Carson Wentz perform?
Wentz threw four touchdown passes after entering the game when Kyler Murray left with a concussion. He helped lead Minnesota’s comeback victory.
Vikings
4. Why did the Packers lose another late lead?
Green Bay struggled with defensive penalties, failed to capitalize on fourth-down opportunities, and could not contain Minnesota’s offense in the fourth quarter.
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5. How did Jordan Love perform?
Love threw for 389 yards and two touchdowns but was sacked four times, lost a fumble, and took 15 hits.
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6. Why is the Packers vs Vikings game trending on Google?
The game generated strong search interest because of Minnesota’s comeback, Wentz’s unexpected performance, and Green Bay’s latest late-game collapse.
7. What was Matt LaFleur’s controversial decision?
LaFleur chose to attempt fourth-and-1 instead of keeping a 40-yard field goal that would have given Green Bay an eight-point lead. The Packers failed to convert.
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8. What should the Packers fix next?
Green Bay needs to improve pass protection, defensive discipline, late-game execution, and its ability to protect leads.
Sources & References
- ESPN: Packers Searching for Answers After Blowing Another Lead Late . Analysis of Green Bay’s collapse, coaching decisions, and defensive problems.
- Yahoo Sports: Shipley, Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, and Carson Wentz Analysis . Coverage of the quarterback storyline and the Vikings’ performance.
- Minnesota Vikings Official Website: Carson Wentz Calmly Leads Vikings to 4 Touchdowns in 4 Drives vs. Packers . Official game analysis and Wentz’s postgame comments.
