Daniel Carlson Shanks Clutch Field Goal, Packers and Vikings Tie
SteemSports Presenter:@theprophet0
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
Both of these teams, the Packers and Vikings, came into the game 1-0 on the season. And, each team figured heading into the match-up that one would walk off the field as a winner considering they have only tied in .01% of their 116 meetings. Green Bay had the momentum stacked on their side as they played alongside one of the most supportive fan-bases in the NFL. Kirk Cousins made his first ever appearance in Lambeau field in his 7 year NFL tenure. Aaron Rodgers had came into the game with only one fully functioning leg, wearing a knee brace for the first time since he played under the lights on Friday nights. The #1 ranked 2017 Vikings defensive unit came into this game feeling hungry to stop Rodgers from performing the magic he displayed in his stellar comeback last week on just one leg. Proceeding from a preview to recap below.
In the Packers first possession, not much happened other than a sack by the Vikings newly acquired DT, Sheldon Richardson. Minnesota then played out their first possession of the game as Cousins was sacked by Jaire Alexander and subsequently Geronimo Allison blocked a punt with Josh Jackson returning it for his first career NFL touchdown. The Cheeseheads were roaring in Lambeau subsequent to this play. Thereafter, Mike Hughes brought the ball to the 45 yard line with an electric kick return. This return set up a touchdown drive by Laquan Treadwell, the former first round pick who hasn't been able to accomplish much in his short NFL career. Treadwell managed to get inside of CB, Kevin King and the Vikings and Packers ended the first quarter tied at 7.
In the second quarter, Rodgers found Adams, who leads the league in the most TD's since 2016, in the end zone for his second TD of the season. Nearing the close of the second quarter, rookie Kicker Daniel Carlson attempted a 48 yard field goal which he put through the uprights successfully last week from the same distance. But, this week, Carlson somehow shanked it. Then, as one of Aaron Rodgers signature abilities, he manged to bring his Packers down the field with under two minutes to put another 3 on the board from veteran Kicker, Mason Crosby. These teams went into the locker room with a score of 7-17.
Minnesota started off the third quarter receiving the ball, but came up short in their first possession. Green Bay managed to tack on another 3 as Jimmy Graham had a 34 yard reception which placed them in good field positioning. Aside from Crosby's third quarter field goal, nothing else happened. The Packers went into the fourth with a sizable 20-7 lead. 39 seconds into the fourth quarter, Cousins hit his #1 receiver Diggs for a 4 yard touchdown. Crosby then put another one through the posts prior to Cousins finding Diggs, once again, for a 75 yard bomb touchdown.
Nearing the two minute warning, Crosby completed his fourth successful field goal of the game, from 48 yards out. Then, it almost seemed as if Murphy's Law came into effect for Cousins after he threw an interception, which the Vikings defense managed to hold to a field goal. Followed by another interception on the next possession, which was overruled by a very subjective "passing the rougher" call on Matthews. Cousins finally broke through the slump as Thielen, kudos to his superhuman focus, caught a touchdown pass in between of two Vikings. At this point in the game, the Vikings were trailing by two points. Cousins planted his trust in Diggs and found him in the left corner of the endzone for a successful two point conversion and tie game.
Rodgers, with only 31 seconds to put points on the board, drove his team all the way to field goal positioning for Crosby. With 2 seconds left, Crosby kicked the ball through for a successful field goal and the Packers won 32-29. But, the call was reversed as the Vikings called an absolute last second timeout to freeze Crosby. After the timeout, Crosby missed the 52 yard field goal which sent the game into OT. In overtime, Daniel Carlson, once again, missed a field goal from 49 yards out.
Green Bay came up short as the Vikings defense applied the pressure during their only OT possession. The Vikings nearly had the game secured when the brought the ball all the way down to the 30 yard line. But, what do you know? Carlson missed the clutch, and easy 35 yard field goal that no NFL kicker should miss. Especially considering the principle that no NFL kicker should miss two field goals in a row. This foolish error resulted in a tie game.
Kirk Cousins finished 35/48 with 425 yards and four touchdowns. Rodgers finished 30/42 with 281 yards and 1 touchdown. I must say that Green Bay better hope Rodgers doesn't fall to the ground again as they are drastically worse when he is not on the field. Thielen led the Vikings in yards with 131, and Diggs led the Vikings in TD's with 2.
Rodgers finally began to utilize Graham after not utilizing him in week 1, as he caught 6 balls for 95 yards. Adams finished with 8 receptions for 64 yards and scored the only receiving TD. Minnesota and the Packers are now tied for first in the NFC Central, and the Bears were the only team to win in week 2 in their division. The Vikings will head back home and host the Vontae Davis-LESS Bills team. Meanwhile, the Packers will play their first away game of the season in Washington against the Redskins.
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