After the Seahawks lost to the Steelers earlier on Sunday, the Packers and Vikings enter their Week 17 matchup and lock their own end for a postseason berth.
The Packers took full advantage of the situation in a 33-10 victory over Minnesota on Sunday Night Football.
Green Bay started well, taking a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter when Love connected with Jayden Reed on a 33-yard touchdown pass. Love then had a 2-yard run in the second quarter and another 25-yard touchdown to Reid for a 23–3 halftime lead.
Looking for ball protection outside of the quarterback position, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell turned to Jaron Hall in place of Nick Mullens. But Hall was ineffective in the first half, throwing an interception that led to Reed's first touchdown and fumbling a sack that led to Reed's second score.
Nick Mullens replaced Hall in the second half, but couldn't get the ball in the end zone in the third quarter. The Packers responded with a 13-play, 91-yard drive that saw Love Bo Melton hit a 9-yard touchdown to make the score 30-3.
The Vikings scored after a Green Bay muff punt gave them a first-and-goal at the 7. But Anders Karlsson made a 37-yard field goal for the final score, and Green Bay won by 23.
Love finished 24-33 for 256 yards with three touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. Sean Clifford came in late in the game and completed one of his passes to Melton for 37 yards on third down.
Aaron Jones led the way with 20 carries for 120 yards. AJ Dillon had seven carries for 27 yards, leaving the game with a stinger. Reid had six catches for 89 yards with two TDs before leaving the game with a chest injury. Melton caught six passes for 105 yards with a TD.
Hall was just 5-of-10 for 67 yards. Mullens finished 13-of-22 for 133 yards with a touchdown and no picks.
Justin Jefferson had a quiet night, catching five passes for 59 yards.
Green Bay dominated, racking up 470 yards and 28 first downs. The club was 9-of-14 on third down. The club also led in time of possession 37:32 to 22:28.
Now 8-8, the Packers will clinch a playoff spot if they beat the Bears at home in Week 18. That game will be played at 4:25 pm ET on CBS.
The 7-9 Vikings will need a road win over the Lions and plenty of help to get to the playoffs. Minnesota's game against Detroit will be played at 1 pm ET on Fox.
