Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings: Play by Play and a whole lot more

Aaron Rodgers will have to point the way through the Playoffs starting next week when Green Bay will host the Vikings once again. The last time the Packers were faced with this type of quick turnaround was when they beat Arizona in the 2009 season finale and then lost to them in one of the best playoff games ever.

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First, congratulations for the Minnesota Vikings for defeating the Green Bay Packers 37-34 today as Blair Walsh sneaked a 30-yard field goal between the uprights as the clock ran out.

Unfortunately for Adrian Peterson, the super human fell 9 yards short of the NFL single-season rushing record.

“Ultimately, got the W. Opportunity to play next week,” Peterson told FOX TV after the game.

For the Packers, it was an uphill battle in the Mall of America Field as they fell behind 13-0 and had the bad luck just before the half when a lame duck pass thrown by Christian Ponder was tipped into the air by four Packers defenders and “caught” by Jarius Wright to extend a Vikings drive that resulted in a touchdown to give the Vikes a 20-7 lead at that point.

Another key play going against the Packers was an illegal hands to the face by CB Tramon Williams that negated a third down stop that would have forced the Vikings to kick a field goal midway through the fourth quarter. The Vikings would score three plays later on another third down play that was nearly intercepted in the end zone by MD Jennings but instead ended in the arms of Michael Jenkins – just his second touchdown catch of the season. That touchdown gave the Vikings a 34-27 lead with about four minutes left in the game.

That’s when Aaron Rodgers directed the Packers downfield for a game-tying touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson on a beautiful back shoulder throw that tied the game with just under three minutes remaining.

The Vikings came back and converted and huge third down play that would extend their game-ending drive that would feature one long run by Peterson that set up Walsh’s final game-winning kick.

Aaron Rodgers did the best he could with a 28-40-365 effort that resulted in four touchdown passes.

The Packers also got a good showing from RB DuJuan Harris off the bench who picked up 70 yards on just 14 carries.

For the Vikings, QB Christian Ponder played just well enough to balance the performance by Peterson. Ponder hit 16 of 28 for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns. He didn’t throw an interception, but the Packers had at least three shots at securing a turnover.

The Green Bay Packers traveled to Minneapolis today to play the Vikings in a season finale with all kinds of playoff implications.

We will provide a play-by-play rundown here throughout the game, as well as photos and statistics that will emphasize the action on the fieldBut you already knew that.

Packers inactives: Randall Cobb, cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Davon House, halfback James Starks, linebacker Terrell Manning, receiver Donald Driver and defensive tackle Jordan Miller.

Vikings inactives: quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, receiver Stephen Burton, cornerback Brandon Burton, safety Robert Blanton, linebacker Audie Cole, offensive lineman Troy Kropog and end D’Aundre Reed.

Today’s Head Referee: Mike Carey

Packers kick off – Sherrels returns to the 23

Vikings first possession

First and 10 handoff to Adrian Peterson for no gain

Second and 10, QB Christian Ponder rolls right and throws across the middle to TE Kyle Rudolph for 10 and a first down

First and 10 at 33, handoff to Peterson who is hit at line of scrimmage, he spins and bounces to the outside for 12

First and 10 from Vikes 45, Peterson up the middle for 3

Second and 7, Ponder under pressure from BJ Raji up the middle and ball tipped by Clay Matthews – incomplete

Third and 7, pass to Simpson on sideline for 8 and first down, Tramon Williams on coverage

First and 10, Ponder with quick slant incomplete, Sam Shields on coverage

Second and 10, ball at Packers 6, Ponder rolls right, under pressure from Erik Walden, throws ball away

Vikings kicker Blair Walsh

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Third and 10, Ponder rushed out of pocket, runs for 8 short of first down

Blair Walsh from 54 yards FG attempt – GOOD

Vikings

Vikings 3 Packers 0

Walsh kicks off to Packers’ Jeremy Ross – Touchback

Aaron Rodgers

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Packers first possession

First and 10 from Packers 20, Rodgers in gun, handoff to Ryan Grant up the middle for 2

Second and 8, Rodgers under center, has all kinds of time in pocket, runs and hits Jermichael Finley for 4

Third and 4, passes toward sideline to James Jones who falls

Fourth down punt by Masthay -59 yards, Sherrels returns 25 yards to the Vikings 40

Vikings second possession

Clay Matthews

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

First and 10 at the 40, Ponder under center, Matthews sacks Ponder – referees call incomplete pass – Mike McCarthy challenges and ruling overruled on field

Second and 17, ball at Vikings 33, Ponder under center, handoff to Peterson for 5

Third and 12, Ponder in the gun, screen to Toby Gerhardt who rumbles for first down

First and 10, Peterson runs for 5,

Second and 5, ball at Packers 35, Peterson for 22

First and 10, ball at 12, Ponder under center, handoff to Peterson for 5, Burnett with open field tackle

Second and 5, Peterson up the middle for 5 TD

Peterson 8 rushes for 61 yards … long of 22 yards

 Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards in 3:24

Vikings 10 Packers 0

Vikings kickoff to Packers Ross – touchback

Packers second possession

First and 10 from the 20, handoff to Grant for no gain

Second and 10, Rodgers in gun, pass to Finley for 5

Third and 5, Rodgers in gun, ball tipped at line on pass toward Greg Jennings

Fourth down punt by Masthay to Sherrels gets five yard return

Adrian Peterson

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings third possession

First and 10, handoff to Peterson who gets swallowed by BJ Raji for loss of 2

Second and 12, handoff to Peterson for 2

Third and 10, Ponder in the gun, quick slant to Jenkins, short of first down

Fourth and 1, Vikings go for it, Ponder under center, Peterson runs for 6 and a first down

First and 10, Peterson runs for 2

Second and 8, Ponder under pressure from Matthews and throws incomplete

Third and 8, pass over the middle to Rudolph for first down

First and 10, Ponder rushes left for 8

Second and 2, Peterson stuffed by AJ Hawk

End of first quarter

Vikings 10 Packers 0

Packers

Vikings

Third and 4, pass toward Jarius Wright incomplete in the end zone

Blair Walsh with 37-yard FG – GOOD

11 plays, 34 yards in 4:42

Vikings 13 Packers 0

Vikings kick off to Packers – a 44-yard return by Jeremy Ross

Aaron Rodgers

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Packers third possession

First and 10, handoff to DuJuan Harris up the middle for 8

Second and 2, Harris gets the ball again, hit at line and then runs for 8 more

First and 10, ball at Vikings 40, Rodgers under center, gets sacked by that greaseball Jared Allen

Second and 22, Rodgers under center, delay of game – wipes out huge completion to Finley

Second and 27, Rodgers in gun, passes to Jennings inside the 40 for 22 yards

Third and 7, Rodgers in gun, pass to Jones who is hit right away, bounces away and then ends up losing 4 yards

Timeout Packers – first

Fourth and 11, Masthay comes in to punt down to the 10

Vikings fourth possession

First and 10 at the Vikings 10, Peterson no gain, tackled by CJ Wilson

Second and 10, Ponder under center, pass to Brent Ellerson for 6

Third and 4, pass toward Simpson falls incomplete

Fourth down punt by Kluwe to Ross who returns it 32 yards

Packers fourth possession

First and 10 ball at Vikes 43, handoff to DuJuan Harris for 12

First and 10, Rodgers under center, pitch to Harris for 2

Second and 8, Rodgers under center then moves to gun, pass down  right sideline toward Nelson incomplete. Nelson breaks off route

Third and 8, quick slant to James Jones for first down to the Vikings 13

First and 10, Rodgers in gun, handoff to Harris for 3

Second and 7, Rodgers in gun, pass toward Nelson in the end zone incomplete

Third and 7, Rodgers in gun, short pass to Jennings who claws his way to a first down

First and goal, Rodgers under center, handoff to Harris for no gain

Second and goal, ball at Vikings 6, Rodgers in gun, pass over the middle toward Finley incomplete

Third and goal,  Timeout Rodgers – second

Third and goal from the 6, Rodgers in gun, pass over the middle to Finley – flags fly – holding on Vikings

First and goal from 3, Rodgers rolls right, hits Jennings wide open in the end zone, he juggles ball and it falls incomplete

Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Greg Jennings

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Play clock runs down and Packers have to use their final timeout

Second and goal, Rodgers rolls right and has to throw it away

Third and goal, Timeout Vikings – first

Third and goal, Rodgers right – all kinds of time and hits a wide open Greg Jennings wide open for the Touchdown

Drive: 12 plays, 42 yards in 5:06

Vikings 13 Packers 7

Packers

Packers kick off to Vikings

Vikings fifth possession

First and 10, Handoff to Peterson for 1

Christian Ponder (7) passes over Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Second and 9, Ponder under center, under pressure from Burnett throws up a duck, tipped ball by about four Packers caught by Wright – ball hits ground, but Packers can’t challenge because they have no timeouts

First and 10, Gerhardt up the middle for 3

Two-minute warning

Third and 4, Ponder to Simpson for 10 and a first down

First and 10, Peterson stopped at line, jumps around, breaks tackles and he picks up 18

First and 10, ball at Packers 8, pass to a wide open Wright for a TD

Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards in 2:54

Vikings 20 Packers 7

Vikings kick off to Ross for a touchback

Packers possession 

1:07 left in the half

First and 10 at Packers 20, pass to Jennings for 14 and a first down

First and 10, pass to Finley up the sideline for 16

First and 10, ball at the 50 pass to Nelson for first down

Rodgers downs ball

Second and 10, ball at the Vikings38, Rodgers sacked by Griffen

Third and 10, pass to Finley who gets out of bounds

Mason Crosby

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Crosby with the field goal from 51 yards GOOD!!!

Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards in 1:07

End of first half

Vikings 20 Packers 10

• Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Blair Walsh 54 yard field goal, 10:47 Drive: 10 plays, 41 yards in 4:13
Minnesota 3-0

Adrian Peterson 7 yard TD run (Blair Walsh extra point is GOOD), 5:44 Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards in 3:30
Minnesota 10-0

2nd Quarter

Blair Walsh 37 yard field goal, 14:51 Drive: 11 plays, 34 yards in 4:42
Minnesota 13-0

Greg Jennings 3 yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby extra point is GOOD), 4:01 Drive: 12 plays, 42 yards in 5:06
Minnesota 13-7

Jarius Wright 8 yard TD pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh extra point is GOOD), 1:07 Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards in 2:54
Minnesota 20-7

Packers

Vikings

Packers

Vikings

Second half

Vikings kicks off – touchback

Packers first possession of the second half

First and 10 at 20, Rodgers under center, pitch to Harris who runs left, cuts back right and picks up 5

Second and 5, Rodgers in gun, pass to Jones who picks up 30

First and 10, Rodgers gets tripped up by Barclay, sacked

Second and 13, false start on James Jones

Second and 18, 45 yard pitch and catch to Greg Jennings … outstanding run

Greg Jennings (85) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

First and goal, pitch to DuJuan Harris to the right for 3

Second and goal, ball at 6, pass to a WIDE OPEN  Greg Jennings for the touchdown

Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards in 3:04

Vikings 20 Packers 17

Packers kick off – returned to 19

Vikings first possession of second half

First and 10, Peterson bounces outside for 20 and goes over 2,000 yards

Second and 4 Ponder pass incomplete

Third and 4, pass nearly intercepted by Casey Hayward

Punt to Ross who makes something out of nothing with a return of 10 yards

Packers second possessionn

First and 10, Rodgers under center, runs right, throws incomplete, personal foul on Brinkley for hitting Rodgers

First and 10, ball at the Packers 36, screen to Harris for 11 and a first down

First and 10, Rodgers hands off to Harris for 2

Second and 8, ball at the 49, Rodgers in gun, handoff in the backfield to Harris for 6

Third and 2, Rodgers in gun, false start on Barclay

Third and 7, Rodgers scrambles, starts to pass, gets hit, fumbles and Vikings recover

Adrian Peterson

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings possession

First and 10 at the 50, Ponder under center, drops back, hits Simpson over the middle for first down

First and 10, Peterson rushes right and loses one

Second and 11, false start on Vikings

Second and 16, Ponder in gun, pass to Felton on sideline, Tramon Williams misses tackle and he runs for first down

First and 10, Peterson stuffed, fumbles, Packers Sam Shields recovers, returns it 10 yards, laterals to MD Jennings who gets five more … Vikings also flagged for unsportsmanlike penalty of 15 yards. However, reviewed … Peterson’s knee appeared to be down before fumble … 15 yard penalty tacked on

Second and 27 from Packers 35, Ponder under center, handoff to Peterson who carries 28 yards inside 10

Vikings timeout – first

First and goal, ball at Packers 7, pass batted down by Ryan Pickett

Second and goal, Peterson up the middle for 2

Third and goal, Ponder in gun, Packers Jarron McMillian called for a hold

First and goal from the 2, Peterson for no gain

Second and goal, Peterson catches rollout pass from Ponder, Touchdown

Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards in 4:17

Vikings 27 Packers 17

Vikings kickoff to Ross who returns it to the 15

Packers possession

First and 10, quick pass to Finley for 5

Second and 5, pitch left to Harris who fights hard to get 2

Third and 3, long pass to Nelson for 73 yards down to the Vikings 8

DuJuan Harris

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

First and goal, quick pass to James Jones who runs to the middle and lunges for the goal line and reaches the ball across the goal line. Referees call it a fumble, but the call is being reviewed

Review calls the play a touchdown for James Jones because he broke the plane of the goal line with the ball before it came out.

Packers kick off with 15 yard penalty because of McCarthy throwing the challenge flag

Drive: 4 plays, 87 yards in 1:46

Vikings 27 Packers 24

Kickoff to Vikings who return it to eh 21

Vikings first and 10 from the 21, Ponder pass incomplete with Jones on coverage

Second and 10, Peterson dives for 3,

Third and 7, Ponder in the gun, Vikings called for false start

Third and 12, pass complete, but well short of the first down

Fourth down punt to Ross, false start on Vikings

Fourth down punt by Kluwe to the Packers 34 – Vikings called for facemask penalty on the return, ball moved to the Packers 49

Packers possession

First and 10 at the 49, quick pass to Harris out of the backfield for 5

Second and 5, Rodgers escapes pass rush and throws long to Jennings incomplete

Third and 5, first down pass to Jones

First and 10, Quick outside screen to Jennings who evades tackle for first down

First and 10, ball at Vikings 28, DuJuan Harris for 6

Second and 4, pass over the middle incomplete to DJ Williams

Third and 4, pass to Jennings incomplete

Crosby for 41 yard FG – GOOD!

Drive: 4 plays, 87 yards in 1:46

Packers 27 Vikings 27

Packers kickoff to Vikings – Sherrells returns it 28 yards

Vikings possession

First and 10, play action long pass to Wright down to the Packers 11

First and goal – Peterson runs for first down to the 2

First and goal, Peterson stuffed by AJ Hawk – holding on Vikings

First and goal from the 12, Peterson runs into Hawk again, no gain

Second and goal, Ponder rolls right throws toward Jenkins,but it falls incomplete

Third and goal, Packers stop, but Tramon Williams called for illegal hands to the face

First and goal, Peterson up the middle for 1

Second and goal,  ball at Packers 5, Peterson for 1, Matthews hurt

Third and goal, Pass to Jenkins for Touchdown

Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards in 4:27

Vikings 34 Packers 27

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) calls a play during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings kickoff to Ross who returns it to the 22

First and 10, Rodgers in the gun, passes complete to James Jones for first down

First and 10,  Rodgers sacked by Griffen

Second and 18, quick pass to Finley for 3

Third and 15, 6:20 left, false start on Packers

Third and 20, pass to Finley for 19

Fourth and 1, pass to Jarrett Boykin first down

First and 10, Rodgers under pressure throws it away

Second and 10, pass to Finley for 6

Third and 4, ball at Vikings 44, pas over the middle to Jennings for the first down – beautiful catch

First and 10, Harris up the middle for 12

First and 10, ball at the 19, Rodgers in the gun, handoff to Harris who slips and picks up 1

Second and 9, Rodgers moves to the gun, pass to Nelson, Vikings called for pass interference

Ball placed at the 2, first and goal, back shoulder pass to Jordy Nelson TOUCHDOWN!

Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards in 5:00

Packers 34 Vikings 34

Packers kickoff  – Sherels good return to the 29

Vikings possession

First and 10 from the 29, pass incomplete over the middle

Second and 10, Peterson run down by BJ Raji and big group of Packers for loss of 1

2-minute warning

Third and 11, Ponder pass to Jenkins for first down, Jerel Worthy hurt

First and 10, ball at Packers 48, Peterson picks up 7

Second and 3, 1:25 left, Peterson for 4

First and 10, Peterson for no gain

Second and 10, Peterson down to 9

Walsh for 30 yard FG – GOOD

Vikings 37 Packers 34 – Final

Vikings earn playoff bid … the bad news for the Vikings is that they have to turn around, travel to Lambeau Field and take on the Packers once more.

Statistics courtesy of si.com

Packers

Vikings

Packers

Vikings