Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers Match Player Stats (Nov 23, 2025)

Green Bay demolished Minnesota 23-6 at Lambeau Field on November 23, 2025, behind Emanuel Wilson’s 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Packers forced three turnovers without committing any, but one statistic captures this beatdown better than the final score: Minnesota gained four total yards in the entire second half.

Four yards. Not four yards per play. Four total yards across two quarters of professional football.

J.J. McCarthy completed 12 of 19 passes for 87 yards with two interceptions and a 34.2 passer rating. Jordan Love threw for 139 yards on 14 of 21 passing, managing the game while Green Bay’s defense suffocated Minnesota’s offense.

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The Play That Changed Everything

Myles Price touched a bouncing punt near the 10-yard line early in the third quarter. The ball caromed off his body while he blocked a Green Bay player. Zayne Anderson fell on it at the Vikings 5-yard line.

Lambeau Field erupted. The crowd of 77,991 went from nervous energy to full-throated roar in three seconds.

Two plays later, Wilson scored his second touchdown. Green Bay led 17-6. The game was over right there. Minnesota’s offense had already started shutting down. That muffed punt just made it official.

“That punt was huge,” Micah Parsons said after the game. “Huge. Changed the whole momentum of the game.”

The Vikings went three-and-out on their next three possessions. They gained negative yardage at one point before scratching their way to four net yards by the final whistle. Green Bay ran the ball on 14 consecutive plays at one stretch, grinding clock and demoralizing Minnesota’s defense with every Wilson carry.

This was more than a loss. According to Sportradar research, the Vikings hadn’t finished a half with fewer than 4 yards of total offense since at least 1991. That’s 34 years of Vikings football. This second half ranks among the worst offensive performances in franchise history.

Wilson’s Career Day

Wilson carried the ball 28 times in his first NFL start. The undrafted free agent from Division II Fort Valley State spent two years learning behind Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs. Sunday afternoon, with Jacobs sidelined by a knee injury, Wilson punished Minnesota for 107 yards.

He averaged 3.5 yards after contact. Broke six tackles. Converted two third-and-1 situations with violent running between the tackles. His 28 carries and 107 yards both represented the highest single-game totals by any Packers running back this season. The snap count distribution showed LaFleur’s complete trust, with Wilson playing 37 offensive snaps compared to Brooks’ 29.

“I just kept it the same,” Wilson said. “I approached it today just like it’s another game. This is my first start since college, so I just tried to go out there and take advantage of it.”

Jacobs offered pregame advice that calmed his nerves. “Josh just was in my corner telling me to believe in myself and telling me he believed in me, so I just went out there and did what I did.”

Matt LaFleur’s play-calling showed complete trust. Green Bay ran 42 times compared to Minnesota’s 20. The game flow favored the Packers from the opening kickoff, and LaFleur leaned into it.

“I’ve never called the same run so many times consecutively,” LaFleur admitted. “It was like 3 yards and a cloud of dust, but it was effective. Bottom line, I just thought the way our defense was playing, we just took the air out of the ball.”

McCarthy’s Nightmare Continues

McCarthy got destroyed. Sacked five times for 35 yards. Intercepted twice. Finished with a 34.2 passer rating, the worst by a Vikings starting quarterback since 2021. His average time to throw exceeded 3.0 seconds on multiple pressures as he held the ball waiting for receivers to separate.

They never did. Green Bay’s pass rush hit him repeatedly. Jeff Hafley’s defense ramped up pressure after halftime, and McCarthy crumbled under the relentless attack.

Isaiah McDuffie intercepted McCarthy in the fourth quarter after Rashan Gary tipped a pass at the line. Evan Williams grabbed another pick on a deep throw intended for Jalen Nailor. Both interceptions came with Minnesota desperately trying to mount a comeback that never materialized.

The rookie’s struggles continue mounting since his Week 1 debut against Chicago, when he threw three fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat the Bears. That performance feels like ancient history now. McCarthy’s completion percentage, yards per attempt, and turnover rate all rank near the bottom of qualified NFL quarterbacks through 11 weeks.

Love didn’t need gaudy numbers. His 139 yards marked a season low, but he protected the football while Wilson and the ground game controlled possession. Love completed 14 of 21 passes without turning it over once. His 60 snaps represented efficient game management.

Defense Dominates

Packers Defense

Green Bay held Minnesota to 145 total yards, the fewest allowed since 2019. Both of the Packers’ stingiest defensive performances in the Matt LaFleur era have come against Minnesota. In December 2019, Green Bay held the Vikings to 139 yards in a Monday Night Football victory at U.S. Bank Stadium that clinched the NFC North.

This defense has evolved dramatically since their playoff loss to Philadelphia last January, when turnovers and poor tackling cost them a postseason run. The transformation under Jeff Hafley has been remarkable. Four yards in the second half against a Vikings offense that had moved the ball reasonably well in the first half. That’s not a slump. That’s complete collapse.

Parsons and Wyatt combined for four sacks with Parsons adding three quarterback hits. The duo terrorized McCarthy all afternoon, collapsing the pocket repeatedly on third down. Green Bay converted 7 of 14 third-down attempts while Minnesota managed just 2 of 9. The Vikings went 0-for-8 on third down through three quarters before finally converting one in garbage time.

Williams grabbed his third interception of the season on McCarthy’s deep ball. The second-year safety leads Green Bay with three picks through 11 games.

Vikings Defense

Cashman recorded 16 tackles, his highest total since November 2023. He filled gaps correctly but couldn’t stop Wilson’s physical running. Minnesota’s defense held up reasonably well considering the circumstances, but zero takeaways left their struggling offense with no short fields or momentum shifts to exploit.

Minnesota failed to force a turnover for the third consecutive game and sixth time this season. That’s the difference between competitive games and blowouts.

Parsons Destroys Darrisaw

Beyond the team statistics, one individual matchup captured Minnesota’s offensive collapse perfectly: Micah Parsons against Christian Darrisaw.

Darrisaw had no answers. None. Parsons beat Minnesota’s left tackle with an inside move for a seven-yard sack at 10:46 of the third quarter. Seven minutes later, he used pure speed to drop McCarthy for five yards on second down.

Both sacks forced three-and-outs that killed any momentum Minnesota tried building. Darrisaw left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury after Parsons had thoroughly won their individual battle. The All-Pro edge rusher finished with two sacks, two tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits in limited work because the game got out of hand so quickly.

This matchup wasn’t competitive. Parsons made one of the NFC’s better left tackles look like a backup. The tape will show complete domination on every snap they matched up.

Pass Catchers

Vikings Receivers

Jefferson’s four catches for 48 yards represented another frustrating afternoon. The All-Pro receiver went from 0:33 remaining in the first half until 5:46 of the fourth quarter without seeing a catchable ball thrown his way. That stretch included the entire third quarter when Minnesota desperately needed offense.

Zero touchdowns for the fifth straight game. His season statistics continue trending downward as Minnesota’s quarterback struggles limit his production. When your quarterback can’t stay upright, even the league’s best receivers disappear.

“I hate feeling the way we feel,” Jefferson said after the loss. When asked about getting more involved, he deflected: “That’s something for the play-callers to really answer.”

Jordan Addison, Adam Thielen, and Jalen Nailor combined for three targets with zero catches. McCarthy’s 19 total pass attempts left limited opportunities for Minnesota’s receiving corps.

Packers Receivers

Watson led all receivers with five catches on seven targets. The fourth-year wideout played 49 of 66 offensive snaps and is playing his best football after returning from a torn ACL. His blocking on run plays matched his receiving in importance during Green Bay’s second-half clock-killing approach.

Wicks and Doubs each caught 18-yard passes that moved chains on crucial third downs, showcasing the complementary nature of Green Bay’s receiver rotation. Wilson added two catches out of the backfield, giving Love a safety valve when pressure arrived.

Special Teams Impact

Reichard drilled kicks from 52 and 59 yards. His 59-yarder as time expired in the first half made him the first NFL kicker with four field goals of 59-plus yards in a single season. The Alabama product has connected from 59, 59, 62, and 59 yards this year, giving Minnesota a weapon few teams possess.

McManus converted from 32, 30, and 40 yards. All three came after Green Bay drives stalled in scoring position, but the veteran’s consistency kept the scoreboard moving.

Ryan Wright averaged 55.5 yards on four punts with two downed inside the 20. Daniel Whelan averaged 47.5 yards on four punts with three inside the 20. His 63-yarder in the third quarter set up the muffed punt that broke the game open.

Complete Game Summary

Green Bay controlled possession for 37:15 compared to Minnesota’s 22:45. The Packers converted half their third downs while the Vikings managed just 22%.

Minnesota’s only red zone trip ended in disaster. Kevin O’Connell called a tight end sneak with T.J. Hockenson on third-and-1 from Green Bay’s 17 in the second quarter. Hockenson had carried the ball once in his career back in 2020 for no gain. He got stuffed again. Jordan Mason failed on fourth down, and Minnesota never threatened the end zone again.

How Each Quarter Went

First Quarter: Wilson opened the scoring with a one-yard touchdown at 9:15. A defensive pass interference penalty on Josh Metellus gave Green Bay the short field. Reichard answered from 52 yards. Green Bay controlled the early game flow from the opening kickoff.

Second Quarter: Green Bay’s 14-play, 68-yard drive consumed 8:01 and ended with McManus’ 32-yard field goal. The methodical march showcased LaFleur’s patience and trust in his offensive line. Reichard kept Minnesota within 10-6 at halftime with a 59-yard bomb as time expired after McCarthy found Jefferson for 19 yards to set up the kick.

Third Quarter: Price’s muffed punt changed everything. Anderson recovered at the 5. Wilson scored two plays later to make it 17-6. Minnesota went three-and-out on their next three possessions. Green Bay’s defense completely took over, holding the Vikings to just 4 total yards for the entire second half.

Fourth Quarter: McManus added field goals from 30 and 40 yards while Green Bay ran out the clock. McCarthy threw two interceptions trying to force a comeback. Minnesota gained just 26 yards on offense in the final quarter. The margin could have been worse, but LaFleur showed mercy by keeping the ball on the ground.

Division Race Explodes

This wasn’t just another November game. This Week 12 NFC North matchup carried massive playoff implications, and Green Bay seized control of their season.

The Packers improved to 7-3-1 and 2-0 in division play after going 1-5 against NFC North opponents last season. They trail first-place Chicago (8-3) by one game and lead Detroit (7-4) by half a game heading into their Thanksgiving showdown at Ford Field. Win on Thursday, and Green Bay controls their own destiny for the division title.

Wilson’s emergence couldn’t have come at a better time. If Jacobs’ knee issues persist, the Packers now know they have a legitimate lead back who can carry the load. This defense proved they can win games when the offense struggles. That’s a playoff formula.

Minnesota fell to 4-7 after losing five of six games. The Vikings sit third in their division with playoff hopes nearly extinguished. They need to win out and get significant help just to reach the postseason. At 4-7 with six games remaining, the math doesn’t work.

The quarterback situation demands immediate resolution. McCarthy has started six games with minimal improvement since his impressive debut. Vikings beat writers openly question whether he deserves to keep starting. Kevin O’Connell faces pressure to evaluate backup Max Brosmer before making 2026 quarterback decisions.

Jefferson’s frustration grows with each loss. Minnesota travels to Seattle (8-3) next Sunday for another difficult road test. The season is spiraling into irrelevance.

Green Bay hosts Chicago on December 7 after the Detroit game. The Packers suddenly look like legitimate contenders. Full game details and complete box scores from this division rivalry are available at Pro Football Reference. Additional coverage appears in the official Vikings game recap.

The conference standings just got very interesting.

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Game played November 23, 2025 at Lambeau Field.
Attendance: 77,991.
Temperature: 43 degrees with 10 mph winds.