For the second time this year, a defeat for the aspiring Vikings turned into a game in which they had to exhaust themselves against their biggest rivals. But for the second time they held on for a two-point win. This means they will play for the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs next Sunday.

After taking a 17-point lead twice, the Vikings had to concede two first downs to run out the clock and earn a 27-25 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at US Bank Stadium. But they finished their home opener with their first win over the Packers since 2017 and won 14 games in a season for the first time since 1998.

Sam Darnold finished the game 33 of 43 for 377 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings had held Jordan Love to 64 yards rushing until midway through the fourth quarter. Green Bay’s two touchdowns in the fourth quarter came after a Darnold interception and Will Reichard’s second missed field goal of the day, but the Vikings were able to bide their time when coach Kevin O’Connell decided to keep going on third-and-2 and out throw Cam Akers intercepted Darnold’s moving throw with his fingertip for a 6-yard gain.

Why it happened: The Vikings gave Darnold plenty of time to throw against a Packers pass rush that had played well all season, and Darnold dismantled a Green Bay secondary that was playing without Jaire Alexander. He threw throws across the middle of the field all day, finding quick options for Justin Jefferson and connecting with Jalen Nailor for a long touchdown. And the Vikings’ pressure on Love stifled the Packers’ passing game all day; Love entered the fourth quarter with just 64 yards on 10-for-17 passing.

What it means: The Vikings play the Lions next week in Detroit for the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. After defeating the Packers 11-5 this season and holding a two-game lead over them in the division, the Vikings will be the top wild card in the NFC playoffs if they lose in Detroit next week. They could see the Packers again in the playoffs, but if that happens, it will be at US Bank Stadium and not Lambeau Field.

Course of the game: With 11:58 left in the second quarter, Darnold shot deep to Nailor, who was running a post out of the slot as Jefferson’s cross route impacted Xavier McKinney in coverage. Nailor separated McKinney and Javon Bullard, and the 31-yard TD gave the Vikings a 7-3 lead.

Turning point: After the Packers got within 10 points with a Josh Jacobs touchdown run (set up by Carrington Valentine’s Darnold interception), the Vikings responded with an eight-play, 70-yard drive. Darnold hit Jordan Addison for 20 yards and Aaron Jones ran for 13 yards on the next play. The drive ended with Darnold hitting Cam Akers for a 9-yard touchdown off the screen to make it 27-10.

Next: The Vikings and Lions will almost certainly play in Detroit on Sunday night next week, with the winner receiving a first-round bye and the loser heading away as the NFC’s No. 5 seed. Assuming the game takes place on Sunday evening, it would start at 7:20 a.m. local time. The Lions (13-2) play San Francisco on Monday night, but the outcome of the game won’t change next week’s stakes.