MINNEAPOLIS — Clayton Tune and the Green Bay Packers recorded minus-7 net passing yards Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. Read that again: minus-7 passing yards.
The Vikings cruised to a 16-3 victory in their season finale, but the final score barely captures what unfolded. Green Bay’s backup-laden offense produced 121 total yards, the franchise’s lowest output since 2006, and became the first Packers team since 1976 to finish a game with negative passing yardage.
For context, that 1976 game happened when Gerald Ford was president.
Table of Contents
Backups Take the Field, Records Fall
The Packers entered Sunday locked into the No. 7 NFC playoff seed with nothing to gain. Coach Matt LaFleur rested quarterback Jordan Love and nearly every starter, turning the game over to Tune and a roster full of reserves.
The decision made sense. The execution did not.
Tune completed 6 of 11 passes for 34 yards but absorbed four sacks that cost the offense 41 yards. Minnesota’s defense, particularly edge rusher Dallas Turner with two sacks, spent the afternoon in Green Bay’s backfield. Punter Daniel Whelan saw more action than anyone on offense, booming eight punts for a 53.9-yard average.
“Just move past this one and get our minds ready for the playoffs,” Tune said afterward.
The Packers punted on their first eight possessions. LaFleur called timeout with one second remaining so kicker Brandon McManus could boot a 24-yard field goal, avoiding the shutout.
Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers Match Player Stats
Quarterback Performance
| Quarterback | C/ATT | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J.J. McCarthy (MIN) | 14/23 | 182 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85.8 |
| Max Brosmer (MIN) | 7/8 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 96.4 |
| Clayton Tune (GB) | 6/11 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 60.4 |
McCarthy started for Minnesota and completed 14 of 23 attempts for 182 yards before leaving in the third quarter with hand soreness. Brosmer entered and completed 7 of 8 passes to close out the win.
Ground Game Leaders
| Running Back | Carries | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Mason (MIN) | 14 | 94 | 6.7 | 24 | 0 |
| Chris Brooks (GB) | 13 | 61 | 4.7 | 12 | 0 |
| Emanuel Wilson (GB) | 18 | 44 | 2.4 | 12 | 0 |
| Ty Chandler (MIN) | 10 | 23 | 2.3 | 5 | 0 |
Mason led Minnesota with 94 yards on 14 carries. The Vikings’ only touchdown came from fullback C.J. Ham, who plunged in from the 1-yard line in the second quarter. Ham, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who has spent all 10 NFL seasons in Minnesota, could have played his final game for the franchise. He becomes a free agent in March.
Jefferson Reaches Century Mark Again
Justin Jefferson caught 8 passes for 101 yards, continuing his dominance despite the Vikings’ disappointing 9-8 season. The star receiver found chemistry with McCarthy before the quarterback’s early exit.
Top Pass Catchers
| Receiver | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Jefferson (MIN) | 8 | 101 | 12.6 | 18 | 11 |
| Jalen Nailor (MIN) | 3 | 49 | 16.3 | 26 | 3 |
| Josh Oliver (MIN) | 2 | 29 | 14.5 | 22 | 2 |
| Jakobie Keeney-James (GB) | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 8 | 2 |
The Packers’ receiving corps, featuring practice squad call-ups and reserves, managed just 34 total yards. Keeney-James, elevated from the practice squad, led the team with two catches for 15 yards.
Defense Dominates
Minnesota’s Defensive Standouts
Dallas Turner: 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss
Blake Cashman: 7 tackles, 1 sack
Eric Wilson: 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Andrew Van Ginkel: 5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 pass deflections
Turner recorded his best performance of the season, consistently collapsing the pocket and forcing Tune into hurried throws. The Vikings sacked Green Bay quarterbacks four times for 41 yards in losses.
Green Bay’s Defensive Leaders
Jamon Johnson: 10 tackles, 1 pass deflection
Barryn Sorrell: 8 tackles, 1 sack
Jaylin Simpson: 8 tackles
The Packers defense held up reasonably well considering the circumstances, limiting Minnesota to 16 points despite terrible field position throughout the game.
How the Game Unfolded
First Quarter
Will Reichard connected on a 43-yard field goal after McCarthy moved the Vikings downfield with three completions to Jefferson for 39 yards. Green Bay went three-and-out on its opening drive.
Second Quarter
Reichard added a 25-yard field goal before Ham’s 1-yard touchdown run gave Minnesota a 13-0 halftime lead. The Packers managed one first down in the half.
Third Quarter
No scoring. McCarthy left with hand soreness. Brosmer took over at quarterback.
Fourth Quarter
Reichard hit from 37 yards. McManus finally got Green Bay on the board with his 24-yard field goal as time expired.
Team Statistics Tell the Story
| Category | Green Bay | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 121 | 363 |
| Passing Yards | -7 | 226 |
| Rushing Yards | 128 | 137 |
| First Downs | 12 | 23 |
| Third Down Conversions | 3-12 | 2-10 |
| Fourth Down Conversions | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| Time of Possession | 26:30 | 33:30 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Penalties | 4-47 | 2-20 |
Minnesota controlled possession for 33:30, converting when needed on third and fourth downs. The Vikings converted a fourth-and-inches on a McCarthy sneak despite a challenge from LaFleur.
Injuries and Roster Notes
Minnesota lost tight end Josh Oliver to an ankle injury in the second quarter. Oliver caught two passes for 29 yards before exiting.
Green Bay’s Bo Melton limped off after making a tackle on special teams, diagnosed with a knee injury. Nickel back Javon Bullard also left in the fourth quarter with a knee issue. LaFleur said he expects Bullard to be ready for the playoffs.
The Packers kept starting receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs on the sideline, mindful of Watson’s torn ACL in last year’s regular season finale.
What This Means for Both Teams
Green Bay (9-7-1) will travel to face either Philadelphia or Chicago in the wild card round. The Packers carry a four-game losing streak into the postseason but expect their full roster of starters to return.
“We tried to protect as many as we could,” LaFleur said. “But also, I thought it was just a great opportunity for a lot of these guys that haven’t gotten the reps that maybe they want.”
Minnesota (9-8) finished with a winning record after winning five straight games to close the season. The Vikings will pick either 17th or 18th in the 2026 NFL Draft and face major offseason decisions at quarterback and along the offensive line.
McCarthy threw 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in nine games this season after missing his entire rookie year following knee surgery. The Vikings must decide how much competition to bring in for the starting role.
Potential Farewells at U.S. Bank Stadium
Harrison Smith, the 14-year safety, received multiple ovations throughout the afternoon. Under contract for 2026, Smith hasn’t decided whether to return for another season.
“I was kind of joking before the game, ‘I feel like I’m at my funeral. I don’t really have a choice anymore with what’s going on here,'” Smith said. “So we’ll see.”
Ham’s future remains uncertain as well. The Minnesota native has been a core special teams player and short-yardage specialist throughout his career.
“There’s not too many people in this league like him,” Jefferson said, “and have the love and the hard-work attitude as C.J.”
The Vikings may have seen the last of both players in purple jerseys. Then again, they might suit up for another season. Sunday offered no clear answers, just a lopsided victory over a Packers team that chose rest over competition. For Green Bay, the real season starts next weekend. For Minnesota, the real questions begin now.
