The Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats tell the story of a Week 18 game controlled by Minnesota’s offense and field position. The Vikings beat the Packers 16-3 on January 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Minnesota generated 363 total yards and 23 first downs. Green Bay finished with 121 total yards and struggled to create a passing game with Clayton Tune starting at quarterback. The Packers had already secured the NFC’s No. 7 playoff seed, so several regular starters did not play.

Match Overview

Minnesota entered the afternoon at 8-8 and had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Green Bay came in at 9-6-1 with its postseason position already fixed.

The game started at 12:03 p.m. CST with the U.S. Bank Stadium roof closed. Paid attendance was 66,606, and the game lasted 2 hours, 42 minutes. Outdoor conditions were 25°F with cloudy skies, but the indoor setting removed weather from the playing conditions.

Pre-Match Context

Green Bay entered Week 18 knowing its playoff position could not change. The Packers had already clinched the NFC’s seventh seed and were headed to the Wild Card round. Head coach Matt LaFleur therefore kept several important players out of the lineup.

Jordan Love was available after going through concussion protocol, but Green Bay elected not to use him. Clayton Tune started at quarterback. Josh Jacobs, Xavier McKinney, Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker and Zach Tom were among the Packers who were inactive.

Minnesota had a different goal. The Vikings had been eliminated from postseason contention but came into the finale on a four-game winning streak. A victory would allow them to finish above .500 at 9-8.

The teams had also met six weeks earlier. Green Bay won that November 23 matchup 23-6 at Lambeau Field, so Minnesota entered Week 18 with an opportunity to split the 2025 season series.

Quarter-by-Quarter Score

Minnesota scored on its opening possession and never trailed. Green Bay did not put points on the board until the final play.

Quarter-by-Quarter Game Breakdown

First Quarter: Minnesota Scores on Its Opening Drive

Green Bay won the coin toss and deferred, putting Minnesota’s offense on the field first. Jordan Mason immediately gained 13 yards, and J.J. McCarthy connected with Justin Jefferson for 18 yards as the Vikings moved into Packers territory.

Minnesota reached scoring range despite a 15-yard taunting penalty after a McCarthy run. The drive covered 46 yards in eight plays before Will Reichard made a 43-yard field goal with 10:27 remaining.

Green Bay could not answer. Emanuel Wilson gained only one yard on the Packers’ first possession, and Tune’s third-down incompletion forced Daniel Whelan to punt.

Dallas Turner created another problem later in the quarter. He got to Tune for a sack and forced the quarterback to fumble. Drake Dabney recovered for Green Bay, preventing the play from becoming Minnesota’s first takeaway. The Vikings finished the quarter ahead 3-0.

Second Quarter: Minnesota Builds a Two-Score Lead

Minnesota’s longest sustained drive of the first half started at its own 9-yard line. The Vikings ran 14 plays, covered 84 yards and kept the ball for 6:02.

Josh Oliver gained 22 yards on one reception, Jefferson added a 17-yard catch and Jalen Nailor produced another 17-yard gain. McCarthy also converted a fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak, with the ruling upheld after review.

Green Bay stopped the Vikings from reaching the end zone after Minnesota got inside the 10. Reichard made a 25-yard field goal, extending the lead to 6-0.

The Vikings then struck again before halftime. Nailor converted a third-and-8 with a 26-yard reception, and Ben Sims gained 18 yards to move Minnesota close to the goal line.

C.J. Ham finished the nine-play, 59-yard possession with a 1-yard touchdown run. Reichard added the extra point with 23 seconds remaining, sending Minnesota into halftime ahead 13-0.

Third Quarter: Packers Move the Ball but Stay Scoreless

Green Bay opened the second half with one of its better possessions. Wilson gained nine yards and then 12 as the Packers crossed midfield and reached Minnesota’s 34-yard line.

The drive ended when Turner beat the protection again. His second sack of Tune produced a 7-yard loss on third down and forced another Whelan punt.

Minnesota also made a quarterback change during the third quarter. McCarthy completed an 8-yard pass to Jefferson and then told head coach Kevin O’Connell that he was having difficulty with his throwing hand.

Max Brosmer replaced McCarthy and handled the rest of the game. Minnesota did not score in the quarter, while Green Bay’s next trip into Vikings territory ended after Theo Jackson sacked Tune for an 11-yard loss. The score remained 13-0.

Fourth Quarter: Packers Force a Turnover but Minnesota Finishes the Game

Brosmer moved Minnesota inside the Green Bay 10 early in the fourth quarter. The Packers then produced their biggest defensive play.

Brenton Cox Jr. sacked Brosmer for a 12-yard loss and forced a fumble. Barryn Sorrell recovered at Green Bay’s 18 and returned the ball seven yards.

The takeaway did not produce points. Blake Cashman sacked Tune for a 10-yard loss on the first play of the next Packers possession, and Green Bay eventually punted.

Minnesota then used its running game to add another score. Mason broke runs of 19 and 24 yards during the possession before Reichard kicked a 37-yard field goal with 4:09 remaining.

Green Bay’s final possession lasted 13 plays and covered 56 yards. The Packers reached the Minnesota 5 before Brandon McManus kicked a 24-yard field goal as time expired, setting the final score at 16-3.

Team Stats Comparison

Minnesota’s advantage came mainly through first downs, passing production and sustained drives. Green Bay’s rushing attack gained 128 yards, but sacks pushed its net passing total below zero.

Key Numbers That Shaped the Game

363 Total Yards to 121

Minnesota ran 64 offensive plays and averaged 5.7 yards per play. Green Bay ran 50 plays at 2.4 yards each. That 242-yard gap gave Minnesota more opportunities to sustain possessions and reach scoring range.

226 Net Passing Yards to Minus-7

Green Bay’s 34 gross passing yards were reduced to minus-7 net yards because Tune lost 41 yards on four sacks. Minnesota generated 239 gross passing yards and lost only 13 yards on two sacks.

The difference affected field position throughout the afternoon. Green Bay relied heavily on its running game and punter because it could not consistently convert through the air.

23 First Downs to 12

Minnesota moved the chains 23 times, including 14 first downs through the passing game. Green Bay recorded only one passing first down.

That allowed the Vikings to string together longer drives even though they converted only two of 10 third downs.

Eight Green Bay Punts

Whelan punted eight times compared with four punts by Minnesota. Five of his punts finished inside the Vikings’ 20, but Green Bay’s repeated possessions without points kept its defense on the field for longer stretches.

The Packers did win the turnover margin 1-0 after the Brosmer fumble. They could not turn that possession into points.

Green Bay Packers Full Box Score

Green Bay leaned heavily on Wilson and Chris Brooks on the ground. The Packers ran 35 times but attempted only 11 passes, and pressure on Tune kept the passing total low.

Packers Passing

Tune finished with a 60.4 passer rating. Minnesota sacked him four times for 41 lost yards, leaving Green Bay with minus-7 net passing yards.

Packers Rushing

Brooks led Green Bay with 61 rushing yards even though Wilson received more carries. Tune also gained 23 yards as a runner.

Packers Receiving

No Packers receiver reached 20 yards. Keeney-James led the team in both receptions and receiving yards.

Packers Defense

The table below is ordered by total tackles and limited to Green Bay’s eight leading tacklers.

Brenton Cox Jr. also made a major defensive play despite finishing outside the top eight in total tackles. His fourth-quarter sack forced Brosmer’s fumble, which Sorrell recovered.

Packers Kicking

McManus converted Green Bay’s only scoring opportunity on the final play from 24 yards.

Packers Punting

Whelan placed five punts inside Minnesota’s 20. His net average was 50.8 yards.

Packers Kick Returns

Green Bay did not record a punt return.

Packers Fumbles

Turner’s pressure forced the fumble, but Green Bay retained possession.

Minnesota Vikings Full Box Score

Minnesota divided its quarterback snaps between McCarthy and Brosmer after McCarthy left with discomfort in his throwing hand. The Vikings paired 239 gross passing yards with 137 rushing yards.

Vikings Passing

McCarthy posted an 85.8 passer rating before leaving. Brosmer completed seven of eight attempts and finished with a 96.4 rating, although his fourth-quarter fumble gave Green Bay the game’s only takeaway.

Vikings Rushing

Mason supplied most of Minnesota’s rushing production. Ham’s 1-yard run late in the second quarter was the game’s only touchdown.

Vikings Receiving

Jefferson accounted for 101 receiving yards and was targeted 11 times. Nailor’s 26-yard reception on third-and-8 was one of Minnesota’s most important plays during the touchdown drive before halftime.

Vikings Defense

Minnesota’s pressure affected Green Bay’s passing production throughout the game. These were the Vikings’ eight leading players by total tackles.

Turner supplied two of Minnesota’s four sacks. Cashman and Jackson accounted for the other two.

Vikings Kicking

Reichard converted field goals from 43, 25 and 37 yards and made the extra point after Ham’s touchdown.

Vikings Punting

Two of Wright’s four punts finished inside the Green Bay 20.

Vikings Kick Returns

Vikings Punt Returns

Vikings Fumbles

The turnover came in Green Bay territory during the fourth quarter after Cox reached Brosmer on a sack.

Top Performers

Justin Jefferson

Jefferson was Minnesota’s main option in the passing game and the only player on either team to reach 100 receiving yards. McCarthy looked to him on the opening scoring drive, including an 18-yard completion that helped move the Vikings across midfield. Jefferson later added a 17-yard reception during Minnesota’s long second-quarter field-goal drive.

He caught passes from both quarterbacks and finished with eight receptions on 11 targets. His production helped Minnesota record 14 passing first downs and keep Green Bay’s defense defending the full field.

Jordan Mason

Mason led all rushers with 94 yards on only 14 attempts. His first carry went for 13 yards and helped Minnesota establish its opening scoring possession. He also gained 13 yards to reach the Green Bay 7 during the Vikings’ long second-quarter drive. His biggest impact came late.

With Minnesota protecting its advantage, Mason broke runs of 19 and 24 yards on the possession that produced Reichard’s final field goal. Those gains allowed the Vikings to use clock while moving back into scoring range.

Dallas Turner

Turner repeatedly affected Tune when Green Bay tried to pass. His first sack in the opening quarter also forced a fumble, although Dabney recovered it for the Packers. His second sack came at a more important field position. Green Bay had moved to Minnesota’s 34 early in the third quarter, but Turner dropped Tune for a 7-yard loss on third down.

The sack ended Green Bay’s chance to continue the drive and brought Whelan back onto the field. Minnesota finished the game with four sacks and held Green Bay to minus-7 net passing yards.

Barryn Sorrell

Sorrell was involved in Green Bay’s best defensive sequence of the game. He recorded eight total tackles and one sack while working against a Minnesota offense that ran 64 plays. His biggest play came after Cox reached Brosmer in the fourth quarter and knocked the ball loose.

Sorrell recovered the fumble at Green Bay’s 18 and returned it seven yards. The takeaway stopped a Minnesota possession that had already moved deep into Packers territory. Green Bay’s offense could not convert the turnover into points, but Sorrell prevented another immediate scoring chance.

Daniel Whelan

Whelan handled a heavy workload because Green Bay’s offense repeatedly failed to sustain possessions. He punted eight times for 431 yards, with five kicks finishing inside Minnesota’s 20. His longest punt traveled 68 yards, and his net average finished at 50.8 yards.

Those kicks forced Minnesota to begin several possessions with a longer field. The Vikings still produced 363 total yards, including an 84-yard scoring drive that started at their own 9, but Whelan’s punting prevented Green Bay’s offensive struggles from automatically giving Minnesota short fields throughout the afternoon.

Starting Lineups

Green Bay’s lineup reflected its Week 18 roster decisions. Tune started at quarterback, Wilson at running back and several younger players filled offensive roles. Minnesota opened with McCarthy, Mason, Ham and Jefferson among its skill-position starters.

Offensive Starting Lineups

Defensive Starting Lineups

Injury Report and Key Absences

Both teams entered the finale with notable absences. Minnesota ruled out Aaron Jones Sr., T.J. Hockenson, Gavin Bartholomew and Myles Price on its final injury report.

Green Bay ruled out Donovan Jennings, Nick Niemann, John Williams and Savion Williams. Dontayvion Wicks was doubtful, while Zach Tom and Malik Willis entered the weekend as questionable and were inactive on game day.

Final Pregame Injury Designations

Green Bay also held out several regular starters who were not listed with final injury designations that required an out status. Jacobs, McKinney, Cooper and Walker were among the game-day inactives. Love was available but did not play as Green Bay managed its roster before the playoffs.

Injuries During the Game

Oliver injured his ankle during the second-quarter touchdown drive and did not return for the second half. McCarthy left during the third quarter after reporting difficulty with his throwing hand, which brought Brosmer into the game.

Season Series and Head-to-Head Record

The teams split their two 2025 regular-season meetings. Green Bay won the first game at Lambeau Field, while Minnesota took the rematch in Minneapolis.

Before the Week 18 meeting, Green Bay led the all-time series 67-60-3 across 130 meetings. Minnesota’s victory made the record 67-61-3 in Green Bay’s favor after the 131st meeting.

Final NFC Standings and Playoff Position

Green Bay’s loss did not alter its postseason seed. The Packers remained No. 7 in the NFC and moved on to a Wild Card matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Minnesota finished 9-8 but remained outside the playoff field.

Minnesota finished third in the NFC North, while Green Bay finished second behind Chicago.

Broadcast and Streaming Information

The game was a regional CBS broadcast with a noon Central Time kickoff.

Wayne Larrivee handled Packers radio play-by-play with Larry McCarren and John Kuhn. Minnesota’s local radio coverage included Paul Allen, Pete Bercich and Ben Leber.

Conclusion

Minnesota closed its 2025 season with a fifth consecutive victory and moved into the offseason after missing the NFC playoff field. The finale gave the Vikings another start for McCarthy before his hand issue brought Brosmer into the game, while players such as Mason, Jefferson and Turner handled major roles on both sides of the ball.

For Green Bay, the focus shifted immediately from the regular season to playoff preparation. Its Week 18 lineup was shaped by a postseason position that had already been settled, allowing several regular starters to stay off the field. The Packers’ next assignment was a Wild Card meeting with division champion Chicago. Minnesota, meanwhile, entered the offseason with its schedule complete and roster evaluation becoming the next stage of its 2026 planning.

For more match updates, read: Padres vs Colorado Rockies Match Player Stats

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of Packers vs Vikings?

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers 16-3 on January 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in the final week of the regular season.

Who had the most passing yards in Packers vs Vikings?

J.J. McCarthy led both teams with 182 passing yards, completing 14 of 23 attempts before leaving during the third quarter because of a throwing-hand issue.

Who led Packers vs Vikings in rushing?

Jordan Mason led the game with 94 rushing yards on 14 carries. He averaged 6.7 yards per attempt and had a long run of 24 yards.

How many receiving yards did Justin Jefferson have?

Justin Jefferson caught eight passes for 101 yards on 11 targets. He was the only player in the game to finish with at least 100 receiving yards.

What do the Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats show about Green Bay’s passing game?

The Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats show Green Bay had 34 gross passing yards and minus-7 net passing yards after Tune was sacked four times.

Why did Jordan Love not play against Minnesota?

Jordan Love was available, but Green Bay chose not to play him with its No. 7 NFC playoff seed already secured before the Week 18 game.

Did the Packers and Vikings split the 2025 season series?

Yes. Green Bay won the first meeting 23-6 on November 23, while Minnesota won the January 4 rematch 16-3 to split the series 1-1.