Packers lose 16-3 to Vikings, but keep starters healthy for playoffs

MINNEAPOLIS – The Green Bay Packers never found the end zone in their regular-season finale, but they left Minnesota feeling like their mission was accomplished.

The Packers had one goal in their 16-3 loss to the Vikings: rest up for the playoffs and keep key players healthy. Bo Melton’s knee injury was the only dent on their medical report. After he left the field after making a tackle on punt coverage in the first half, Jayden Reed had to finish the game with a handful of snaps in three-receiver sets.

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Otherwise, the Packers kept their most important players off the field against the Vikings. That included starting quarterback Jordan Love, who was active as the backup behind third-string quarterback Clayton Tune but did not take a snap. The Packers kept backup quarterback Malik Willis inactive because of right shoulder and hamstring injuries and did not elevate Desmond Ridder from the practice squad, preserving a spot on their inactive list for a starter at another position.

Their inactive list was full of starters, including running back Josh Jacobs, right tackle Zach Tom, safety Xavier McKinney, linebacker Quay Walker and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Receiver Dontayvion Wicks was also inactive because of concussion. Fellow receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs were active but did not play.

Other than Reed, the most significant players who saw snaps were safety Evan Williams, nickel back Javon Bullard and cornerback Keisean Nixon. It was early in the game when the Packers pulled Nixon.

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Whatever happened after preserving their key players, the Packers were willing to accept. They’ll head to the wild-card playoff round as the NFC’s seventh seed, while the Vikings improved their final record to 9-8 and will miss the postseason.

Could Vikings join the Malik Willis sweepstakes this spring?

If J.J. McCarthy wanted to show Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell a good reason to stay committed to him instead of creating a quarterback competition this offseason, his final showing couldn’t have inspired much confidence.

McCarthy had the benefit of throwing to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison against a Packers defense that kept most of its best players sidelined, but you couldn’t tell what a significant advantage that should have been. The second-year quarterback finishing his first season as the Vikings starter was erratic before injuring his hand in the third quarter, finishing 14 of 23 for 182 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions and an 85.8 passer rating. McCarthy did not return from the injury, though that hardly mattered.

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The problem for McCarthy is he throws only a fastball with little touch on his passes. His inability to change it up was most telling when he had Addison wide open in the end zone during the second quarter. Packers cornerback Jaylin Simpson fell on the play, leaving Addison all alone, but McCarthy zipped a laser a few yards over Addison’s head to prevent an easy touchdown.

Watching McCarthy’s debacle, it was hard not to think how much better Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis would look in the Vikings offense. Since Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets after the 2022 season, the nightmare scenario for Packers fans has been Rodgers playing for the Vikings, following Brett Favre’s path. A much bigger dread should be Willis signing with the Vikings as a free agent.

Willis, who was inactive because of right shoulder and hamstring injuries, has positioned himself as one of the most enticing free-agent quarterbacks entering 2026. It’s hard to imagine the Vikings won’t bring in a quarterback to compete with McCarthy before next season. The Vikings offense would be an attractive destination for a quarterback trying to earn his starting shot, given their depth of playmaking and a head coach known for developing the position.

Matthew Golden isn’t the rookie from Texas who impresses in developmental showcase

With top receivers Watson, Doubs, Reed and Wicks (concussion) sidelined, the stage was set for a Matthew Golden breakout game.

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The first-round receiver instead had only one reception on three targets from third-string quarterback Clayton Tune. Golden ended his rookie season with 28 catches on 41 targets for 353 yards and zero touchdowns. It’s certainly too early to call the 23rd overall pick from this past spring a bust, but that is a wasted rookie season. One of their top priorities this offseason will be figuring out what went wrong so Golden has an opportunity to take a significant jump in his second year.

The Packers still got an impressive showing in Minnesota from their other rookie who played for the Texas Longhorns last season. Barryn Sorrell, their fourth-round pick who was Golden’s college teammate, flashed potential lining up on the edge and inside at defensive tackle. Sorrell finished with his first career full sack and eight tackles, including one for loss. He also scooped a fumble recovery from Vikings backup quarterback Max Brosmer early in the fourth quarter.

Sorrell was most impressive defending the run. Late in the first quarter, he crashed hard down the line of scrimmage to drop Vikings running back Ty Chandler for a 1-yard gain on first-and-10. Later in the same drive, he hit Chandler behind the line of scrimmage for a 1-yard loss on third-and-1.

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The Packers will be looking to trim salary cap this spring and could save almost $11 million on their 2026 if they release Rashan Gary, who ended his regular season without a sack in the team’s final 10 games after getting a rest in Minnesota. Sorrell's development might make that option even more attractive.

Daniel Whelan shows he has no rust after layoff, ready for postseason

The Packers' best player in Minnesota was someone who hadn’t seen the field in three weeks.

Before the regular-season finale, Daniel Whelan last punted Dec. 14 at Denver. That punt traveled 57 yards without a return from the Broncos. Whelan hadn’t punted in the past two games, but he picked up right where he left off against the Vikings.

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Whelan averaged 53.9 yards on eight punts, continually booming rockets high into the U.S. Bank Stadium air. His first punt midway through the first quarter traveled 62 yards and was downed at the Vikings’ 2-yard line. Whelan also had a 56-yard punt that was fair caught, a 44-yard punt with no return that pinned the Vikings at their 9, a 51-yard punt that was fair caught, a 57-yard punt that was returned only 5 yards, and a 63-yard punt that was fair caught. Five of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.

It's something to keep in mind for the playoffs. The Packers hope to put points on the board in the NFC wild-card game, but their punter is a viable weapon.

This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers lose 16-3 to Vikings, but keep starters healthy for playoffs