Packers lead Vikings 9-3 after first quarter<\/p>\n
Green Bay won the opening coin toss and elected to defer. Keisean Nixon<\/a> tackled former Packers running back Aaron Jones for a 1-yard loss on first down.<\/p>\n Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon sent Zaire Franklin<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Donovan Jennings<\/a> gets the start in place of Aaron Banks<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Chris Brooks picked up 14 yards on a second-and-10 draw and gained another three yards after Jordan Morgan<\/a> was called for a false start. Jordan Love threw three incompletions and Green Bay settled for a 59-yard Trey Smack<\/a> field goal to put the Packers up 3-0 with 12 minutes, 11 seconds left in the first quarter.<\/p>\n It’s the second-longest field goal in franchise history, behind only Lucas Havrisik’s 61-yarder last season against Arizona.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> came free to tackle Jones for a 4-yard loss on the next play.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Green Bay went up 9-0 with 7:43 left in the first quarter after Smack missed the extra point.<\/p>\n On third-and-7, Murray scrambled for 1-yard before being met by Javon Bullard<\/a> and Lukas Van Ness<\/a>. Bullard was flagged for unnecessary roughness, as Murray was injured on the play. He’s being evaluated for a concussion.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n