Vikings Rally Past Packers 39-22 in Week 1

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers 39-22 in Week 1, flipping an early 19-10 deficit into a convincing home win with a 22-point fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Green Bay controlled much of the first half and carried a 19-10 lead into intermission, but Minnesota steadily changed the game after the break before turning the fourth quarter into the deciding stretch. The Vikings scored seven points in the third quarter to close the gap, then blanked the Packers 22-0 over the final 15 minutes to open the 2026 regular season at 1-0.

The final quarter was the defining story. Minnesota entered it trailing 22-17, meaning the Vikings needed both stops and scoring drives to reverse the game. They delivered on both fronts, producing 22 unanswered points while preventing Green Bay from adding a field goal, touchdown or any late answer. A five-point deficit became a 17-point victory in a hurry, giving the home crowd a memorable start to the season.

Key Performers

Jordan Mason gave Minnesota a reliable ground-game presence, rushing 15 times for 59 yards and a touchdown. His 15-carry workload was the game high among the available rushing leaders, and his touchdown helped supply an offense that found its strongest rhythm when the game reached winning time.

Jordan Love generated major yardage for Green Bay despite the loss, finishing 21/42 for 387 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Love repeatedly pushed the ball downfield and connected on explosive plays, but the Packers could not turn that production into enough second-half points. Green Bay scored 19 points in the first half, only three in the third quarter and none in the fourth.

Christian Watson was Love’s top big-play target, hauling in six receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Watson accounted for both Packers receiving scores and averaged 24.5 yards per catch, creating the type of chunk gains that helped Green Bay build its halftime advantage. But Minnesota’s fourth-quarter defensive stand kept those early explosives from defining the outcome.

The turnover margin and drive-by-drive details were not included in the available game data, so it is not possible to assign the late swing to a specific interception, fumble, red-zone stop or special teams play. What the scoring record makes clear, however, is that Minnesota won the critical situational football: a seven-point third quarter kept the game within reach, and the 22-0 fourth quarter finished the comeback.

NerdSports Stat: Minnesota turned a five-point deficit entering the fourth quarter into a 17-point win, a 22-point swing in the final period.

For Green Bay, the opener will be a reminder that explosive passing numbers only go so far without late-game finishing. The Packers’ 387 passing yards and Watson’s two touchdowns created a strong foundation, but the final period left them searching for answers after an otherwise productive offensive start.

Minnesota, meanwhile, begins the season with an important win and early momentum in the NFC North race. The Vikings will host the Chicago Bears on Sunday, September 20, while the Packers return home to face the New York Jets that same day.

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