The Vikings' first offensive play of Sunday's game was called back after left tackle Matt Kalil tackled Green Bay linebacker Julius Peppers. The early holding penalty was an early glimpse into a bad day for the offensive line.
The line accounted for three of the Vikings' eight penalties — a fourth was declined — and allowed six sacks in the 30-13 loss to the Packers. They also struggled to create much space for Adrian Peterson, who rushed for just 45 yards a week after compiling 203.
"I thought we took the next step," left guard Brandon Fusco said Sunday. "I thought we were getting better and [Sunday] we just didn't play as a whole.
"We had penalties to start [several] drives. … We weren't physical enough against them. They had a good game plan of stunts and different looks and contain Adrian and make us one-dimensional."
Green Bay's defense put regular pressure on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and collected its first sack for an 18-yard loss despite Kalil holding on the play. The Packers' third sack of the game briefly forced Bridgewater out of the game with a shoulder injury.
"As an offense and line we just weren't able to pick [the blitz] up the best we could," right guard Mike Harris said after the game. "We've got to do better and give Teddy more time."
Viking coach Mike Zimmer wouldn't let the offensive line take all the blame.
"It wasn't all the offensive line," Zimmer said Monday. "There were times Teddy didn't get the ball out on time. There were times we didn't block them. Guys missed blocks and their defensive front did a good job.