MINNEAPOLIS - For all the hard work the Packers did to stop Adrian Peterson, they were certainly hoping for better defensive results overall.
Peterson, the NFL's leading rusher coming into Week 4 and the defending league rushing champion, gained just 55 yards on 25 carries, an average of 2.2 yards per rush that ranks as by far the best the Packers have done against him in his five career games against Green Bay. It was also the third-lowest per-carry average for Peterson in his pro career.
Unlike in his previous three 100-yard games against the Packers, Peterson didn't have any real explosive runs, recording a long gain of 12 on the night. But the effort still wasn't enough in the 30-23 loss Monday night at the Metrodome.
How much the Packers' focus on Peterson had an impact on the pass defense is a valid question. A lot of the damage the Vikings did through the air came on third down with the Packers in a nickel defense not geared toward Peterson, but the Vikings and Brett Favre were very efficient on third downs through the first three quarters and with their passing game in general anyways.
"Some of those long passes, we had plays called that should have stopped those," cornerback Charles Woodson said. "We did what we wanted to do as far as Adrian is concerned, limited him on his runs, but those long passes shouldn't have happened."
Favre completed passes of 19 yards or more to five different receivers, and he had a total of nine completions of 14 yards or more on the night.
"I thought with us containing their run that they were explosive in the passing game," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "I didn't think we put much pressure on him, but I thought he played well."
All tied up
With four receptions for 55 yards, Donald Driver tied the all-time franchise record for receptions, equaling the 595 catches by Sterling Sharpe.
Driver came into the game needing five catches to break Sharpe's mark, and now he'll become the Packers' all-time leading pass catcher with his next grab.
The record-tying catch came on the first play of Green Bay's final drive, a 10-yard grab over the middle that started the Packers' march toward a field goal that brought them within seven points in the final minute.
Penalties, more penalties
Among the many things that went wrong for the Packers in the first half, the penalties didn't help. Green Bay was flagged six times for 47 yards in the first two quarters while Minnesota didn't have a single penalty.
The offense was able to overcome some of the infractions and keep drives alive, but the most damaging was probably a 15-yard taunting call on linebacker Brandon Chillar after he had tackled Peterson for a 2-yard gain on Minnesota's first drive. Instead of having second-and-8 at the Green Bay 34, the flag gave the Vikings first-and-10 on the 19, and they eventually scored the game's opening touchdown.
{sportsad300}The Packers had just one penalty in the second half, finishing with seven penalties for 57 yards. The Vikings had two penalties for 10 yards.
Injury/participation update
The Packers lost kick returner Will Blackmon and offensive lineman Daryn Colledge to knee injuries in the game. Neither player returned to action.
Blackmon was replaced on kick and punt returns by Jordy Nelson, while Colledge - who was already filling in at left tackle for an injured Chad Clifton (ankle) - was replaced by rookie T.J. Lang in the fourth quarter. Lang had to work against defensive end Jared Allen the remainder of the game, which was no small task.
"Obviously I was thrown in there in a tough spot, late in the game - it's a throwing type of game when you're down like that - and going against one of the top pass rushers in the league," Lang said. "I made a few mistakes against him, but I need to watch the film and learn from those mistakes."
After the game, Colledge said he didn't think his injury was that big a deal, and he felt confident he would be able to play in two weeks against Detroit, following the bye.
McCarthy indicated further examination of Blackmon's knee, as well as Colledge's, would be forthcoming.
Defensive end Cullen Jenkins came out of the game a couple of times with an ankle tweak and cramps, but he returned. McCarthy also mentioned injuries to running back DeShawn Wynn (wrist) and linebacker Desmond Bishop (rib bruise).
