Packers dominate Vikings on TNF

Week 5
October 2, 2014 - 7:30 p.m. - CBS
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 42 - Vikings 10

The Packers absolutely pummeled the Minnesota Vikings in a Week 5 Thursday Night Football matchup at Lambeau Field.

Photo credit: Jonathan Daniel

For the first time this season, the Packers scored first in a game after Aaron Rodgers connected with Randall Cobb for a 8-yard touchdown.  The catch is Cobb's sixth touchdown reception of the season through five games.  Aaron Rodgers extended the Packers lead on the next drive by throwing a 66-yard touchdown to the NFL's leading receiver, Jordy Nelson.

The defense came to play.  The Vikings committed three turnovers in the second quarter on three consecutive possessions.  The first, an interception by Julius Peppers returned 49-yards to the house.  With the interception, Peppers became the first player in NFL history to record one hundred sacks and ten interceptions.  The second turnover, Jamari Lattimore intercepted Christian Ponder's next pass attempt.  Rodgers made the Vikings pay after connecting with Davante Adams for another touchdown.  The touchdown was the first for the rookie wide receiver out of Fresno State.  The third turnover was a fumble by Matt Asiata forced by Morgan Burnett.  The Packers lead the Vikings 28-0 at halftime.

The Vikings were forced to rely on backup quarterback Christian Ponder as their rookie starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a high ankle sprain 4 days earlier.  Ponder continued his poor play wearing a Vikings uniform as he fell to 1-5-1 against the Packers in his career.  Ponder was sacked six times in the game by Nick Perry (2), Mike Daniels (1 1/2), Letroy Guion (1 1/2), Julius Peppers (1/2), and AJ Hawk (1/2).

The third quarter wasn't much better for the Vikings.  This quarter, the Packers got running back Eddie Lacy rolling.  Lacy found the end zone twice in the quarter.  Lacy finished a nice night with 105 rushing yards on 13 carries.  This game was by far Lacy's best game of the young season.

The Packers replaced most of the starters in the fourth quarter, including Rodgers.

Photo credit: Jonathan Daniel

In the three quarters that Rodgers played, he passed for 156 yards on 12/17 passing and three touchdowns.  Rodgers threw his 200th touchdown pass of his career.  Rodgers is the 2nd fastest quarterback ever to reach 200 passing touchdowns (Dan Marino).  Jordy Nelson caught only one pass all night long.  That one pass, however, was a 66-yard touchdown.  Randall Cobb continued his trend of catching touchdowns as he added a touchdown reception along with three receptions for 34 yards.

The Packers get a mini bye week before they hit the road again next week in Miami.

#GoPackGo

Detroit Lions  3-2
Green Bay Packers  3-2
Chicago Bears  2-3
Minnesota Vikings  2-3