MINNEAPOLIS (AP)-Aaron Jones rushed for two second-half touchdowns, Za’Darius Smith had five tackles for loss, and the Green Bay Packers became NFC North champions by beating the Minnesota Vikings 23-10 at U.S. Bank Stadium Monday evening.
At 12-3, rookie Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is the 10th rookie coach in league history to win 12 games in his first season. This was Green Bay’s first win at U.S. Bank Stadium since its opening in 2016. The Vikings led 10-9 at halftime after three first-half turnovers by the Packers, but Jones'(23 car, 154 yards, 2 TD’s) scoring runs of 12 and 56 yards offset an impressive performance from the Minnesota defense.
The bumbling Vikings’ offense posted only 139 yards of offense and 7 first downs. Minnesota is now locked in as the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Green Bay can possibly achieve the No. 2 seed or even the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, which would give them at the least home-field advantage in the divisional round of the playoffs and a first-round bye.
