What was I thinking as the final gun sounded at TCF Bank Stadium?
That it didn't take Teddy Bridgewater long to realize the margin for error against the Packers is mighty slim. Bridgewater's slow start was lowlighted by a Ponder-esque throw that was intercepted by Michah Hyde at the Vikings' 47-yard line.
From there, Aaron Rodgers completed 3 of 3 passes for 47 yards and a 40-yard cross-the-field, right-to-left pass that went in the books as a 1-yard touchdown pass.
That gave the Packers a 14-7 lead with 5:23 left in the first half. The Packers weren't tied or behind after that score.
Defensively, the Vikings aren't going to win if they can't stop the run. All of their losses have had at least critical spurts where they've been unable to stop the run. Today, they let Eddie Lacy pound away on them for 125 yards on 25 carries (5.0). That can never happen when the QB is Aaron Rodgers.
But the most frustrating defensive play of the game has to be Rodgers' 18-yard run on third-and-six with 11:29 left. The Vikings had seven men at the line of scrimmage. They rushed six. They forced Rodgers off his spot with tight coverage and a strong rush. But then he took off for 18 yards to help the Packers turn a 17-13 lead into a 24-13 lead with 8:34 left.
Overall, let's face it, the Vikings weren't going the playoffs even if they won this game. They're 4-7, but a competitive game against the Packers has good value because it helps Bridgewater learn against the best team in the division. And it helps the Vikings' new defense do the same against the best quarterback in the division, the conference and perhaps the entire league.
