Green Bay Packers fans were blessed with the rare gift, at least lately, of a comfortable win on Sunday, as Green Bay cruised to a 23-6 win over a reeling Minnesota Vikings team, essentially leading the game from wire to wire.

Here are some key takeaways from Sunday’s NFC North victory for the Pack: 

Biggest play

Given the challenges a Brian Flores defense presents, and the players the Packers were missing on offense, it did not seem likely Jordan Love and company would be lighting up the scoreboard against the Vikings, and after stalling out to start the second half, the score was just 10-6.

But they were gifted an easy touchdown after Daniel Whelan uncorked a superb punt that kicked left inside the five-yard line, with Zayne Anderson blocking a Minnesota player into the ball, making it live, and then recovering it himself to set the offense up for a score.

Whelan has been tremendous this season and is getting better each year. Locking him up long-term was a smart move by the Packers, but core special teamer Anderson deserves most of the credit for essentially creating a game-swinging turnover all on his own.

The Packers took an 11-point lead after recovering the muffed punt, which more accurately reflected the control it felt like they had, and they never looked back from there.

Standout player

Emanuel Wilson has always stepped up to the plate when called upon in a rotational role for Green Bay, and has been a worthy backup and complement to Josh Jacobs. Handed the first start of his NFL career with Jacobs out on Sunday, Wilson grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

The former undrafted free agent out of Fort Valley State gained 107 yards on 28 carries, punched the ball into the end zone twice, and also had 18 yards on two catches.

He showed toughness to run through a free hitter at the goal line for his first score, and regularly ground out extra yards throughout the game.

Wilson also displayed impressive wiggle for a well-built back, and his vision was excellent on Sunday, as he easily sidestepped defenders or found new lanes when the picture was clogged up in front of him, converting several 3rd-and-shorts by adjusting on the fly and finding daylight.

It is a luxury for the Packers to have a second back they trust as much as Wilson, and he showed just why he has been able to carve out a real role on the team in recent seasons.

Reason for optimism

The turnovers are starting to come for the Packers defense. They are now up to eight in the last six contests (nine if you count the special teams turnover) and have back-to-back games forcing multiple takeaways.

As the numbers indicate, Jeff Hafley’s group has shown growth in the turnover department as the year has gone on, but in truth, the secret to their recent surge might simply be facing quarterbacks who are more prone to putting the ball in harm’s way.

Prior to the last two games, the Packers had faced a long stretch of extremely safe QBs, and had to find another way to hold them out of the end zone, which they have consistently done.

Jameis Winston and JJ McCarthy were always likely to present Green Bay with chances to take the ball away, and despite missing some opportunities last week, they have mostly cashed in.

Getting out to a bigger lead is also a key factor in getting opposing quarterbacks to take more risks, and it is no coincidence the turnovers forced on Winston and McCarthy all came late in the game when they suddenly needed touchdowns rather than just being content to play ball control.

Micah Parsons and the Packers front regularly put McCarthy and the Vikings behind the sticks, especially in the second half, and were able to feast on their desperation as time started to tick away. It was a very strong and encouraging performance from Hafley’s defense.

Cause for concern

It is difficult to pick too many holes in Sunday’s showing, but if there has to be a nit to pick, it is probably Green Bay’s lack of want to put the dagger in Minnesota offensively in the second half.

Matt LaFleur seemed content to run the ball and drain the clock once they got up two scores, and in fairness, there were plenty of good reasons to take that approach, including the injuries the Packers are dealing with on offense and how dominant their defense was playing.

They were also running the ball effectively, so it was not as if LaFleur’s confidence to continue pounding the rock was unfounded, but it still made for a bit of a frustrating watch in the second half.

Injuries

The only notable injury from Sunday’s contest was Keisean Nixon, who picked up a stinger after colliding with teammate Devonte Wyatt, who was standing on the sideline.

LaFleur called Nixon’s situation “day to day” after the game and did not rule him out from playing on Thanksgiving in Detroit.