The Green Bay Packers (1-0, 1-0 NFC North) were all gas no brake in their season opener, topping the Minnesota Vikings (0-1, 0-1 NFC North) 43-34 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the way with a tremendous performance; the seasoned veteran was 32/44 for 364 yards and 4 touchdowns (ESPN stats).  

The Packers’ offense didn’t waste any time finding a rhythm Sunday. They marched down the field with authority on their first drive but in the end, had to settle for 3-points, with kicker Mason Crosby opening the scoring front with a 31-yard field goal.  

The energy on offense unfortunately didn’t transfer over to the d-train on their opening drive, a theme we would see time and time again in the Packers’ opener. The Vikings literally ran through the Packers, rushing for 28 yards and eventually a touchdown from running back Dalvin Cook to quickly take a 7-3 lead.

Luckily, it was the only time Minnesota would lead the entire game, as Green Bay responded with a massive safety from cornerback Jaire Alexander a couple drives later. That moment changed the course of the game, giving the Packers all the momentum in the world.

The Packers followed up Alexander’s big defensive play with another field goal from Crosby, this time for 43 yards, to retake the lead with a perfectly normal football score of 8-7.  

After linebacker Za’Darius Smith came up with a huge third-down sack for Green Bay, the Packers followed up with a beautiful play from Rodgers and his favorite receiver, Davante Adams. Rodgers found Adams in the endzone for a 24-yard LASER to give the Packers a 15-7 lead. With a young and inexperienced secondary, the Vikings had truly no answers for Adams on that play and pretty much every play that followed on Sunday.  

Alexander clearly wasn’t satisfied enough with his safety early on because he went out and got an interception to add to his week one resume too. The play, once again, resulted in some positive momentum for Green Bay on offense. Rodgers, looking as sharp as ever, responded by firing a ball deep to receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 45-yard touchdown to make it 22-7 with 14 seconds left in the half.

The second half wasn’t as pretty for MVS, with two big drops, but he was still able to showcase his skill after a tough last year. Luckily, Adams was there to save the day, connecting with Rodgers for his second touchdown of the game to extend he Packers’ lead to 29-10. From there, it was back and forth between the two NFC North rivals.

On the next drive, Cousins found wide receiver Adam Thielen for a 37-yard touchdown and Cook was able to run it in for the 2-point conversion to cut the Packers’ led to 29-18.

Luckily, Green Bay responded with a touchdown of their own. This time, getting fan-favorite receiver Allen Lazard in the mix, for a 28-yard touchdown to make it 36-18.

Per tradition, the Packers continued to keep the Vikings in the game even though they were very clearly outplaying them. The Packers defense let up another Cook touchdown and, once again the Vikings’ 2-point attempt was good.

However, that didn’t phase Green Bay as they responded with another deep pass to Adams, which eventually resulted in a touchdown for running back Aaron Jones to make it 43-26 Packers.

In garbage time, Cousins found Thielen on a 19-yard play and the Vikings converted on yet another 2-point conversion to give us our final score of 43-34.

With a huge division win, a fired-up Aaron Rodgers and a few concerning injuries, there was plenty to take away from week one for the Green Bay Packers.

What we learned: New year, same defense

Unless you’re new around here,  the Packers’ defense struggling to stop the run should be old news for you. I was cautiously optimistic about how Green Bay would handle Dalvin Cook and I’m glad I was because things looked scary at times, especially on the Vikings’ opening drive.

Luckily, Green Bay’s offense was on the field so much and made the most of it when they were. As a result, the Packers’ d-train got some much-needed rest. The defense was able to hold Cook to just 50 yards, but he still got in the end zone two times and converted on multiple two-point attempts.   

Last season, we learned that stopping the run was the difference between making the Super Bowl and walking away empty handed for Green Bay. Let’s hope that Pettine and his crew can go back to the tape and see where they can improve as they look ahead to week two.

What went right: The offense

If you would’ve told me the Packers would put up 43 points on the Vikings last week, I would’ve thought you were crazy. If Sunday was any indication of what year two will look like in LaFleur’s offense, then sign me the heck up. The Packers’ offense put up 43 points and 524 yards of total offense (ESPN stats) with literally every player getting involved. From touchdown catches from all three key wide receivers, to the offensive line allowing no sacks, to the incredible blocks from rookie tight end Josiah Deguara, the offense looked nothing short of efficient.

What went wrong: Injuries

Although the Packers are leaving week one with a win, they took a few big L’s on the injury-side of things. Nose tackle Kenny Clark left the game with a groin injury after going down awkwardly in the first half and guard Lucas Patrick left the game with a shoulder injury.

Perhaps the biggest gut punch was watching Lane Taylor go down after he fought back from a season-ending injury last year. Taylor looked visibly upset and was carted off the field with what the Packers reported as a knee/leg injury.

Offensive MVPs: Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams

Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are stupid good together. Like, this must be some sort of cheat code…right? 12 and 17 both had record-breaking performances and it was a thing of beauty to watch.

Rodgers passed Eli Manning on the all-time passing TDs list (now 7^th) after his stunning 4-touchdown performance and he looked as elite as ever. Whatever Rodgers saw, and is now adjusting, from his 2010 tape is working, and hopefully it keeps working.  

With 14 receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns (ESPN stats), Adams tied the franchise record for most receptions in a single game (Don Huston vs. Giants in 1942), according to the Packers.

Defensive MVP: Jaire Alexander

This is the year a lot of people predicted Jaire Alexander to make a leap and he seems to be trending in that direction. With two momentum changing plays, Jaire absolutely was the defensive MVP Sunday. In addition to his safety and interception he had 5 total tackles and 1 QB hit (ESPN sacks).  

Here’s a look at some of your favorite takeaways!

• Davante Adams is a top 3 receiver. MVS would be very good if he could catch consistently. Defense is worrying, but I'll give it a pass being week one. - @beet_gordo

• 1) Following the game on Twitter sucks. 2) Loved the confidence in MVS 3) Hope KC is ok because it appears the defense didn’t come out for the 2nd half. - @EricRose4

• Jaire is that guy, 100% - @SethLial

• Deguara is bae - @GoPackGo417

• I’ve really missed football - @yonadavn

Up next, the Green Bay Packers match up with yet another NFC North rival; the Detroit Lions. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST next Sunday (9/20) inside an empty Lambeau Field.