Packers Defense Dominates Vikings

Packers Bury Vikings, 23-6

The Green Bay Packers imposed their will on the Minnesota Vikings Sunday for a 23-6 victory at Lambeau Field. The Pack outscored the Vikes 13-0 in the second half behind a steady ground game and fierce pass rush while Special Teams complemented both sides of the ball.

“All three phases contributed to the win,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “I thought it was a dominant defensive performance which allowed us to play the way we played. Then you can’t discount how critical of a role special teams played in this.”

The Packer offense did enough to earn a 17-6 lead early in the second half. The two-score deficit forced Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell to open up his playbook more for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. In passing situations, the Packers pass rush preyed on the first-year starter from Michigan. McCarthy threw two interceptions and took four sacks in the second half alone. As a team, Minnesota netted -1 yard of offense in the final 30 minutes on 15 plays.

The Vikings never moved the ball past their own 36-yard line and McCarthy threw for a paltry 87 yards on 12-of-19 passing for the day.

“It was the first time in a while where I thought our guys could pin their ears back and go,” LaFleur said. “It just goes to show the importance of getting a lead and putting a team in situations where they feel like they have to throw the football.”

Micah Parsons set the tone on the defense’s first snap in the second half when he beat left tackle Christian Darisaw inside for a sack. Parsons added his 10th sack of the season on the next series, and immediately followed that play with possibly his most impressive pressure of the year.

Be sure to check out the CHTV Game Recap for a summary of all the action at Lambeau on Sunday.

Are you a Die Hard fan? You’ll love our Die Hard Level!

Exclusive to Die Hard Members:

~ Weekly Game Preview Video with Aaron Nagler and Andy Herman.

~ Weekly post-game analysis by former Packers broadcaster Ken Lass.

~ Free access to join other Die Hard fans in the weekly CHTV Happy Hour

~10% off anything in the CheeseheadTV merch store.

You can get all of these exclusive benefits for just $5 per month as a Die Hard Member.

You can sign up right here!

Gut Reactions: Packers Bludgeon Vikings

Aaron Nagler chats with Green Bay Packers fans worldwide about the team's 23-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Packers 23 Vikings 6 Game Balls & Lame Calls

The Packers began the most crucial stretch of their schedule in impressive fashion. Whether or not you want to call it a "statement" victory versus the struggling Vikings, you can't deny that the final score feels extremely satisfying. After weeks upon weeks of having to grind out last minute, one score games,

it felt so good to be able to just put a team away. The Packers defense did just that in the second half, allowing only four yards over fifteen plays. Jeff Hafley's group finally was able to generate the turnovers they've been desperately searching for.

Check out this week’s Game Balls and Lame Calls. 

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Vikings vs Packers

Aaron Nagler hands out the Good, the Bad and the Ugly from the Green Bay Packers Week 12 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Packers Snap Counts Vs. Minnesota: Week 12, 2025

The Packers elevated RB Pierre Strong and LB Jamon Johnson from the practice squad due to the absences of Josh Jacobs and Quay Walker. The inactive players due to injury were CB Nate Hobbs, WR Matthew Golden, LB Quay Walker, and RB Josh Jacobs. The healthy scratches were OL Donovan Jennings, Kicker Lucas Havrisik, and LB Jamon Johnson. RB Pierre Strong was active but did not play.

Josh Jacobs was reportedly a game time decision, but ultimately, he was not active. Edge Lucas Van Ness and DL Karl Brooks returned from injury but were on steep pitch counts. Keisean Nixon collided with Devonte Wyatt and left the game. He did not return.

Find out who played and how much with the latest installment of Packers Snap Counts.

Check out exclusive Cheesehead TV merch!

The Lass Word: Taking On The Division

The Green Bay Packers will now embark on a brutal six game stretch to close out the regular season.  Two games against the improved Bears, on the road at both the Lions and the Vikings, and then games against two of the best teams in the AFC, the Broncos and the Ravens.  It’s easily the toughest season-ending schedule in the entire league.  To stay in the playoff picture through that gauntlet, the Packers are going to have to be playing their best football. 

Sunday’s 23-6 victory over the Vikings might not have been a work of art, but on this unseasonably warm day at Lambeau, it didn’t have to be.  By the middle of the third quarter, Matt LaFleur felt so confident in the dominance of his defense, he had his team basically stop playing offense.  He just kept calling running back dives into the middle of the defense, with little concern about whether the team moved the ball or not.   

In truth, Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy probably made the Green Bay defense look a little better than they actually are.  When Minnesota lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw and left guard Donovan Jackson to injury in the first half, McCarthy ‘s goose was cooked.  He stood in the pocket like a terrified statue, unable to make any kind of decision to throw or run.  He was the definition of a sitting duck.  The second year signal caller, who missed his entire rookie year because of injury, just kept eating the ball until late in the game, when he began launching desperate throws, two of which were picked off.  The Packers won’t always get to play against a quarterback who holds the ball too long.  But it was fun watching the pass rush, led by Micah Parsons, enjoy an early Thanksgiving feast to the tune of five sacks and constant pressure.    

With the win, Green Bay continues to stand second in the division, a half game behind the Bears.  The Packers have already doubled the number of victories within the division from a year ago.  Pending the 49ers game Monday night, Green Bay stands fifth in the NFC, behind the Eagles, Rams, Bears and Bucs…

Subscribe to Die Hard to read the rest.