Packers lose to Vikings, will host Minnesota next week in playoffs
By: Nick Goddard
Updated: December 30, 2012
In a wild regular season finale at the Metrodome, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers Sunday, 37-34, earning their way into the playoffs.
The Packers (11-5) would have locked up the #2 seed in the NFC, and a first-round bye, with a victory. Instead, Green Bay will host the Vikings (10-6) in a Wild Card playoff contest next weekend at Lambeau Field.
Adrian Peterson had another huge game for the Vikings, rushing for 199 yards and a touchdown. Peterson finished the 2012 regular season with 2,096 yards, 9 short of Eric Dickerson's single-season record.
The Vikings dominated most of the first half of Sunday's contest, taking a 13-0 lead, and a 20-10 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense helped them get back into the game in the second half. Rodgers finished with 365 yards passing and four touchdowns, the final of which to Jordy Nelson tied the game at 34 with 2:54 remaining.
The Vikings, however, made one final drive, converting a 3rd and 11 on a 25 yard pass play to Michael Jenkins, and getting into field goal range on a 26 yard run by Peterson.
Rookie Blair Walsh then booted a 29 yard field goal as time expired to win the game for the Vikings.
This will mark the third time in the past 20 years the Packers will face the same team in both the final regular season game, and first round playoff game. In 1993, the Packers lost the regular season finale to Detroit, then beat the Lions in the playoffs. In 2009, Green Bay defeated Arizona in the regular season finale, only to lose to the Cardinals in the first round of the postseason.
The Packers (11-5) would have locked up the #2 seed in the NFC, and a first-round bye, with a victory. Instead, Green Bay will host the Vikings (10-6) in a Wild Card playoff contest next weekend at Lambeau Field.
Adrian Peterson had another huge game for the Vikings, rushing for 199 yards and a touchdown. Peterson finished the 2012 regular season with 2,096 yards, 9 short of Eric Dickerson's single-season record.
The Vikings dominated most of the first half of Sunday's contest, taking a 13-0 lead, and a 20-10 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense helped them get back into the game in the second half. Rodgers finished with 365 yards passing and four touchdowns, the final of which to Jordy Nelson tied the game at 34 with 2:54 remaining.
The Vikings, however, made one final drive, converting a 3rd and 11 on a 25 yard pass play to Michael Jenkins, and getting into field goal range on a 26 yard run by Peterson.
Rookie Blair Walsh then booted a 29 yard field goal as time expired to win the game for the Vikings.
This will mark the third time in the past 20 years the Packers will face the same team in both the final regular season game, and first round playoff game. In 1993, the Packers lost the regular season finale to Detroit, then beat the Lions in the playoffs. In 2009, Green Bay defeated Arizona in the regular season finale, only to lose to the Cardinals in the first round of the postseason.
