Packers lead Vikings 9-3 after first quarter

Green Bay won the opening coin toss and elected to defer. Keisean Nixon tackled former Packers running back Aaron Jones for a 1-yard loss on first down.

Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon sent Zaire Franklin on an A-gap blitz on the next play. Franklin came free on the blitz to force a deep Kyler Murray pass that Nixon intercepted at the Green Bay 47.

Donovan Jennings gets the start in place of Aaron Banks at left guard. He was in line to start here last January before a throat injury landed him on IR. Jennings’ third NFL game since signing with Green Bay as an undrafted rookie in 2024.

Chris Brooks picked up 14 yards on a second-and-10 draw and gained another three yards after Jordan Morgan was called for a false start. Jordan Love threw three incompletions and Green Bay settled for a 59-yard Trey Smack field goal to put the Packers up 3-0 with 12 minutes, 11 seconds left in the first quarter.

It’s the second-longest field goal in franchise history, behind only Lucas Havrisik’s 61-yarder last season against Arizona.

Minnesota took over at its 30 and converted the initial first down with a 9-yard pass to Justin Jefferson on third-and-4. Edgerrin Cooper came free to tackle Jones for a 4-yard loss on the next play.

Murray scrambled for six before back-to-back false starts on the Vikings. Minnesota checked it down to T.J. Hockenson on third-and-23, gaining eight yards and then electing to punt.

Jonnu Smith initially caught the first pass of the season for four yards, but it was overturned to an incompletion after a successful Minnesota challenge.

On the next play, Love hit Christian Watson on a crossing route that the fifth-year receiver extended for an 81-yard touchdown. It was the longest pass of Love’s career and longest career completion for Watson.

Green Bay went up 9-0 with 7:43 left in the first quarter after Smack missed the extra point.

On third-and-7, Murray scrambled for 1-yard before being met by Javon Bullard and Lukas Van Ness. Bullard was flagged for unnecessary roughness, as Murray was injured on the play. He’s being evaluated for a concussion.

Murray walked off on his own power, with Carson Wentz replacing him. Jefferson completed the next first down with a 9-yard out to the Green Bay 37 on third-and-6.

Jordan Mason gained four yards on the next carry, but the drive stalled after a Wentz incompletion on third-and-5. Will Reichard made a 38-yard field goal to put Minnesota on the board, as the Packers led 9-3 with 1:38 left in the first quarter.

Bo Melton returned the ensuing kickoff 59 yards to the Minnesota 40. Watson caught a 10-yard pass on third-and-7 to get the first down.