The Green Bay Packers were defeated by the Minnesota Vikings in two games that looked remarkably similar in the 2024 season.

In the first meeting, the Packers fell behind 0:28, but improved to 28:22 and ultimately lost 31:29. On Sunday at US Bank Stadium, the Packers fell behind 20-3 and 27-10 in the second half, but rallied to go up 27-25 and couldn’t complete the comeback late.

The Packers now enter the season finale at 11-5, with four of the losses coming against the Vikings and Detroit Lions and all five against the teams with the three best records in the NFC (Philadelphia Eagles).

As with so many of the Packers’ losses this season, the problems early on led to large deficits, and the comebacks at the end weren’t enough to overcome them.

Josh Jacobs fumbled on the first possession, Jordan Love had just 64 passing yards in three quarters, receivers dropped at least four passes and the Packers’ defense relied on Sam Darnold from the start – who caught 33 passes for 377 yards and three scores completed – cut into pieces and dice to finish.

The Vikings got an 18-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Jordan Addison to take a 20-3 lead to open the second half, and Minnesota responded to the Packers’ first touchdown with Darnold’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Cam Akers, who recovered the Packers’ 17-yard touchdown pass. Points lead at 27-10.

After scoring two consecutive touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the Packers needed a stop to get the ball back. But Darnold hit Justin Jefferson and Akers for completion to move the sticks, and the Vikings sat out the remaining time.

The Packers trailed by at least 10 points in all four games against the Vikings and Lions this season.

The Vikings finished Sunday with 441 total yards, an average of 6.3 yards per play and 26 first downs.

Love recorded three sacks and the Packers were penalized seven times.

Carrington Valentine intercepted Darnold in the third quarter, setting up Jacobs’ 2-yard touchdown run.

Matt LaFleur’s team wraps up the regular season by hosting the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field next Sunday. The Packers have secured a playoff spot, but now can’t do better than the No. 6 seed in the NFC, and the No. 7 seed is a possibility if the Washington Commanders win.