Headline: Packers Find a Way to Beat Vikings Offensive Player of the Game: Brett Favre- 18 of 29 passing including 5 for 5 on game winning drive Defensive Player of the Game: Mike Mckenzie- 1 interception returned 38 yards for a Touchdown
The Green Bay Packers battled the cold weather and the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Lambeau Field, and for the first three quarters, the cold weather won the battle, as the Packers and Vikings were stalled in a 7-6 game. But in the end, the Packers found a way to get the much needed win in their drive to the playoffs and a possible division title to get a 24-13 victory.
Neither team did well in the first quarter, as was evident by the offense. Totals for the first quarter were 58 yards for the Vikings and just 13 yards for the Packers.
Former Wisconsin Badger, Michael Bennett would get the Vikings on track in the second quarter. Bennett would have carrries for gains of 11 and 23 yards on two different series, The second gain of 23 yards, set up the Vikings first score of the day a 44 yard field goal by Gary Anderson, which made it 3-0 with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half. The Packers would bounce right back on their next drive, led by Favre. A holding penalty on the Vikings gave the Packers a first down at the 42. Favre then completed a pass to William Henderson for a gain of 26 yards down to the 32. Several plays later, on first down at the 31, Favre handed off to Green, who then ran a reverse and handed off to Donald Driver, who raced down field for the score. On the play, Brett Favre threw a great block, to open the lane for Driver. Longwell added the extra point, and the Packers led 7-3. The teams traded punts and field position for the remainder of the first half.
The only scoring in the third quarter, was a 42 yard field goal from the Viking's Gary Anderson, to make it 7-6.
Things got exciting in the fourth quarter. The Vikings had the ball to open the quarter, on a drive started late in the third. Wynn went back to pass, and was intercepted by Bernardo Harris. The Packers took over at the 26. Favre threw to Freeman for a gain of 17. Henderson then gained five yards. A few plays later, faced with fourth and less than a yard, Mike Sherman elected to kick the field goal, rather than go for a first down. Longwell converted from 24 yards and the Packers extended the lead to 10-6. But..... Minnesota would storm right back on their next series going 59 yards in just five plays, with the big play coming on a Byron Chamberlin 47 yard touchdown pass. Following the extra point, Minnesota led 13-10 with ten minutes remaining.
On the very next drive, the Packers behind Brett Favre would return and take the lead for good. The drive started at the 21. Favre began by passing to Schroeder for a gain of 12. He then completed a pass to Freeman for seven yards, followed by another one for a a gain of 14 to Schroeder. Favre followed that up with passes o 19 yards to Freeman, and a big gain of 20 to Bubba Franks, which gave the Packers a first and goal at the four. From there, Ahmann Green burst threw for the four yard score. Longwell added the extra point, and the Packers regained the lead at 17-13. On the drive.... Favre was 5 for 5 for 74 yards.
The Packer defense took control of the game on the next Minnesota series. Spurgon Wynn passed on third down at the 29, and he was intercepted by Mike McKenzie, who returned it 38 yards for the touchdown. Longwell added the extra point, and it was 24-13. The Vikings would get the ball back with 5:35 remaining, but were unable to convert late in the game, after they picked up a couple of first downs, and the Packers WON
FINAL SCORE
Packers 24
Vikings 13
Packers now 11-4 on the season
Next Game: At New York Giants 1/6/02
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