The Green Bay Packers scored three touchdowns in the second half and 15 points in the fourth quarter but were unable to overcome deficits of 20-3 and 27-10 in a 27-25 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon at US Bank Stadium.

The Packers are now 11-5 entering the final week of the 2024 season, while the Vikings are 14-2 and preparing for a showdown with the Detroit Lions, which will feature both the NFC North winner and the NFC’s No. 1 seed be determined.

All five of the Packers’ losses this season have come against the Vikings, Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, the three teams with the best records in the NFC.

Here’s what went right, what went wrong, and what it means for the Packers’ future:

What went well

– The Packers survived an early slump, made a big defensive stop and finally scored a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.

— After the Vikings missed a 43-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, the Packers got back into the game with a touchdown-stopping touchdown. The offense managed 67 yards and 62 yards for touchdowns and the defense delivered a quick three-and-out.

– Carrington Valentine intercepted Sam Darnold in the third quarter and Josh Jacobs scored a rushing touchdown for the seventh straight game.

– The Packers offense actually ended 8:14 on third down against one of the best third down defenses in the NFL. Four of the conversions occurred on the last two trips.

– The Packers held the Vikings to just 69 rushing yards on 26 attempts (2.7 per attempt). Aaron Jones only managed 47 yards on 12 carries.

– Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper recorded a season-high four tackles for a loss. He wasn’t perfect, but he made one big play after another.

– Vikings kicker Will Reichard missed two field goals – one of 57, another of 43 – and the Packers scored points after each miss. Reichard’s third miss was canceled out before halftime by a highly questionable offside position.

— Karl Brooks had a sack and also recovered a fumble after Carrington Valentine intercepted him.

– Tucker Kraft, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks all had a catch of at least 18 yards on the final two drives, and Bo Melton converted a third down with a contested 13-yard catch.

What went wrong?

– Sam Darnold dropped back to pass 43 times and was sacked just once. The Packers finished the game with just four quarterback hits. The pressure wasn’t nearly good enough and Darnold ended up completing 33 passes for a career-high 379 yards.

– Four different Vikings pass catchers had at least 60 receiving yards and all four had a catch of at least 20 yards. Minnesota’s passing game devastated Green Bay’s injury-depleted secondary.

– Josh Jacobs fumbled on the first drive in Minnesota territory. Losses of the ball after a throw has been won and the ball has been captured are particularly damaging.

– Jordan Love and the Packers passing game had just 64 total yards through the first three quarters. Love was often under pressure and receivers dropped at least three passes. The passing game wasn’t good enough early on and played a big role in the Packers entering the fourth round with a big deficit.

– Jayden Reed dropped a fourth-down conversion deep in Vikings territory. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks also failed to make big catches at various points.

– The Packers finished the game with seven penalties, including several untimely violations. A questionable offside call by Edgerrin Cooper helped the Vikings score three points, and a pair of procedural penalties negated first-down gains on offense.

– Cam Akers caught a touchdown pass on a wide-open play and tied the game with a tumbling catch on third down with under two minutes left.

What it means

The Packers missed their last chance to beat one of the NFC’s best teams in the regular season and will now be either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the playoff field. That means the Packers will either play on the road against the winner of the NFC West or South OR play the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round. The Packers believe they can beat one of the NFC’s top teams, but results suggest they are a tier below the Vikings, Eagles and Detroit Lions.

Highlights

What’s next?

A visit from the Chicago Bears in the season finale. The Bears have lost 10 straight games and haven’t won at Lambeau Field since 2015. The Packers need to get healthy in a few key spots, get back on track offensively against a team that just gave up just six points to the Seattle Seahawks and take care of business at home. Going 12-5 with a win over the Bears in the postseason is now the best-case scenario.