It was an ugly, sloppy game as the Packers and the Vikings combined for 21 penalties for a total of 160 yards, but the Packers grinded out a nice win over their arch-rival in Aaron Rodgers’ debut as a starting quarterback.
So how did he do? Pretty darn well. All things considered, I don’t think you could ask for a better game out of the young QB. He completed 18 of 22 passes for 178 yards and an incredible touchdown pass where he muscled the ball across his twisted body and into the endzone. I hate to make the comparison, but it was Favre-esque. He also scored the game-winning touchdown on a QB sneak in the fourth quarter. His numbers would have been even better if an unrelated penalty hadn’t negated a beautiful 68-yard touchdown hookup with Donald Driver early in the third quarter. Given the circumstances, the kid gets an A+. He’ll have his struggles, but I’m starting to think that he’s the real deal.
Greg Jennings led the Packers in receiving with 91 yards on five catches. Ryan Grant was held in check for most of the game, but busted out a 57-yard carry in the middle of the fourth quarter, which set Green Bay up for Rodgers’ game-winning sneak. The Packers indicated before the game that Grant would split time with Brandon Jackson and they stood by their word. Grant had 12 carries and no catches while Jackson received seven carries and caught three balls.
As for the Vikings, Adrian Peterson had a terrific game, posting 114 yards and a touchdown on 20 touches, but the Packers made him work for his yards. Green Bay also forced Tarvaris Jackson to make plays, and while he made a few (178 passing yards, 1 TD, 65 rushing yards), he simply didn’t make enough. His interception on the final drive ended Minnesota’s hopes for the upset.
