Zimmer second-guesses not having onside kick

Mike Zimmer faced a pivotal decision with 3 minutes, 28 seconds left Sunday. The Vikings were behind Green Bay 24-21 and were kicking off from midfield after a Packers penalty. The Vikings coach had an option to try to pin the Packers deep and rely on a defensive stop or try an onside kick to immediately get the ball back.

Zimmer opted to kick it deep. Blair Walsh's kick went into the end zone, and the Packers got two first downs on Eddie Lacy runs and were able to run out the clock.

"I figured they were going to run the ball three times, and I figured we could stop them," Zimmer said. "I was trying to pin it down in there, and I don't know … hindsight."

The Vikings had scored on a 5-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater to Greg Jennings, and on a successful two-point conversion pass from Bridgewater to Charles Johnson, the Packers were penalized for roughing the passer, putting the kickoff at the 50. But Walsh couldn't keep his kick out of the end zone.

Zimmer said he considered attempting the onside kick but also factored in the possibility that the Packers could score a field goal with the field position, forcing the Vikings to score a touchdown to take the lead.

"It was on us to get a stop, and we didn't get the stop," cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said. "I feel like we let the team down. Offense was just starting to roll and click, would've got the ball in their hands and you never know what happens."

Running back Ben Tate was active but did not play, four days after the Vikings picked him up off waivers from Cleveland.

"When the next guy is called up, we just try to encourage each other and make sure we stay on par," Banyard said. "It doesn't really affect anything because we all practice together."

Zimmer said he rolled with the hot hand and kept Banyard as McKinnon's backup over Tate. Banyard finished with five carries for 26 yards. McKinnon had 54 yards on 15 carries. Both players caught three passes.

"[Banyard] made some extra yards after contact a bunch of times," Zimmer said. "He looked like he had some juice running and carried his pads low. He deserved to keep playing."

Charles Johnson and rookie defensive tackle Shamar Stephen both made their first career starts.

Johnson led the team with 11 targets. The Packers' seventh-round pick in 2013 had three catches for 52 yards and his first career touchdown catch, a 22-yard reception from Bridgewater in the second quarter.

"I know what type of player I can be, I know what type of player I am. It's just all about opportunity. Hard work makes opportunity and creates your own success."

Stephen replaced Sharrif Floyd, who was out because of a knee injury, at the three-technique. The seventh-rounder rotated with Linval Joseph and Tom Johnson at the nose and three- technique.

"It was pretty good and exciting, trying to come out to play my best," Stephen said. "Just doing my job and just commit to our game plan; keying in on my fundamentals and technique."

Right tackle Phil Loadholt and wideout Cordarrelle Patterson were sidelined in the second half because of injuries.

Zimmer said Loadholt will have an MRI on a shoulder after he left the game on the Vikings' final offensive possession with six minutes left. He was replaced on the drive by Mike Harris.

Patterson suffered a knee and ankle injury after a 42-yard kickoff return with 2:41 left in the third quarter. It was his longest return of the season, but Patterson was tackled from behind by safety Morgan Burnett. Patterson sat out at the start of the fourth quarter before returning on the final drive.

"The trainer told me if I could go, then go," Patterson said. "Just go out there and finish the game, and we'll talk about it later. I felt like I needed to be out there to try and help the team out, so I got back out there."

The Vikings clicked in a no-huddle situation during the fourth quarter when Bridgewater led the offense on a 13-play, 79-yard drive for a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

Patterson was asked about how the offense has functioned better in hurry-up mode.

"I think I heard Teddy say something like that one time," Patterson said. "He feels like when we're in a fast-paced offense, we feel like we get the job done.

Patterson had only two catches for 18 yards.