The Minnesota Vikings delivered their most complete offensive performance of the season in a 30-point road win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, with Kirk Cousins back at quarterback. Cousins completed 21 of 31 passes for 207 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Minnesota also ran for 129 yards and a touchdown.
The win moved the Vikings into a three-way tie atop the NFC North with the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. All three teams are 7-2. Minnesota’s defense played a major role, recording eight sacks and forcing four turnovers from Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
After the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team had played complementary football—an approach he had wanted to see throughout the season. He also praised Cousins for stepping in with only five days to prepare.
## O’Connell Praises Cousins’ Leadership and Preparation
O’Connell noted that the Vikings have previously asked quarterbacks to take on a starting role with little preparation, including after Cousins suffered an Achilles tear against the Packers at Lambeau Field in October 2023. Even so, O’Connell said he was impressed by what Cousins accomplished on short notice and by the effect he had on the entire team.
“Clearly Kirk Cousins’ performance, and just to put it into words what he was able to accomplish from the time he arrived here … ultimately he was the one with the ownership of the plan and just brought a certain amount of poise, leadership, execution,” O’Connell said. He added that Cousins “ran the show incredibly clean” and that everyone in the organization felt his impact during the week.
## Cousins Delivered Despite Key Injuries
The performance was especially notable because Minnesota was without three of its top four pass-catchers. Tight end T.J. Hockenson missed the game with wrist and chest injuries, while wide receiver Jauan Jennings was out with a calf injury. Neither player practiced during the week.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison practiced through Friday but injured his thumb during that session and did not play. Despite those absences, the Vikings scored their second-most points of the season, responding to two consecutive losses in which the offense had struggled.
The win gave Minnesota a strong all-around performance, with Cousins leading the offense and the defense applying consistent pressure on Love.
