After the Seahawks lost to the Steelers early Sunday, the Packers and Vikings entered their Week 17 matchup with both teams in control of their chances for a postseason berth.
The Packers made the most of the situation, defeating Minnesota 33-10 on Sunday Night Football.
Green Bay got off to a strong start, taking a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter when Love connected with Jayden Reed for a 33-yard touchdown pass. Love then had a 2-yard run in the second quarter and another 25-yard touchdown for a 23-3 halftime lead.
Seeking to protect the ball from the quarterback position, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell turned to Jalen Hall to replace Nick Mullens. However, Hall was ineffective in the first half, throwing an interception that led to Reed’s first touchdown and fumbling a sack that led to Reed’s second score.
Nick Mullens replaced Hall in the second half, but was unable to get the ball in the end zone in the third quarter and was reversed on downs. The Packers fought back with a 13-play, 91-yard drive that ended with Love’s 9-yard touchdown to Bo Melton to make the score 30-3.
The Vikings scored after a Green Bay punt collapsed to take first-and-goal in the seventh, but Anders Karlsson’s 37-yard field goal was the final score of the game, and Green Bay won by 23 points.
Love completed 24 of 33 for 256 yards, three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Sean Clifford came on late in the game to score an ice-breaker, completing a 37-yard one-pass to Melton on third down.
Aaron Jones led the way with 120 yards on 20 carries. AJ Dillon finished the game with the Stinger, gaining 27 yards on seven carries. Reed had six catches for 89 yards and two TDs, but left the game with a chest injury. Melton caught six passes for 105 yards and a TD.
Hall went just 5-of-10 for 67 yards, including an interception and a lost fumble. Mullens completed 13 of 22 for 133 yards with one touchdown and no picks.
Justin Jefferson had a quiet night catching five passes for 59 yards.
Green Bay dominated offensively, gaining 470 yards and 28 first downs. The club went 9 of 14 on third down. The club also led in possession time from 37:32 to 22:28.
The Packers, currently 8-8, will qualify for the playoffs if they beat the Bears at home in Week 18. The game will be broadcast on CBS at 4:25 p.m. ET.
The Vikings, who are 7-9, will need a road win against the Lions and plenty of help to make the playoffs. The Minnesota vs. Detroit game will be broadcast on FOX starting at 1pm ET.