Emmanuel Wilson rushes for 107 yards and two TDs as Packers pound Vikings

Green Bay, Wis. – Emmanuel Wilson rushed for a career-high 107 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start and the Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 on Sunday.

Green Bay’s Micah Parsons and Daonte White each had two sacks. The Vikings totaled four net yards and three turnovers in the second half.

Wilson had two one-yard touchdown runs while filling in for Josh Jacobs, who was unavailable because of a left knee injury. It was the first two-touchdown game of his career for the 2023 undrafted free agent from Fort Valley State.

His 28 carries and 107 yards rushing tied for the most single-game totals by any Packers running back this season.

Green Bay (7-3-1) improved to 2-0 in divisional games after going 1-5 against NFC North foes last season. It started a streak of three straight divisional matchups for the Packers, who visit Detroit on Thursday and host the Chicago Bears on Dec. 7.

The Vikings (4-7) were trying to beat the Packers on the road for the third straight season, something they last accomplished in 1991-93. They instead fell for the fifth time in their last six games.

Minnesota’s JJ McCarthy continued his struggles as a first-year starter, going 12 of 19 for 87 yards. Minnesota’s final two series were ended by McCarthy’s interceptions by Isiah McDuffie and Evan Williams.

The Vikings fell behind 10-6 but stopped Green Bay on the opening drive of the second half when a special teams turnover helped the Packers break the game open.

Daniel Whelan’s punt bounced inside the 10-yard line and then hit the body of Minnesota’s Myles Price, who was currently blocking a Green Bay player. Zane Anderson recovered at the Minnesota five to give Green Bay a first-and-goal, and Wilson scored two plays later.

Minnesota spent the first half relying on running backs Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones to lead a ball-control attack that took pressure off McCarthy. Once Green Bay opened up a two-score lead, the Vikings needed to rely more on McCarthy but couldn’t handle the Packers’ pass rush.

McCarthy was sacked five times, four of which came in the second half.

The Vikings’ only points came on a pair of Val Richard field goals from 52 and 59 yards. Richard became the first player in NFL history to have four field goals of at least 59 yards in a season.

Richard’s first field goal completed the first series of the game with a 52-yard field goal. Green Bay responded with a 70-yard touchdown drive on its opening possession.

Minnesota squandered a golden opportunity in the second quarter when it was third-and-one at the Green Bay 17. Tight end TJ Hocksonson took a direct snap on third down and was intercepted, then Kingsley Engbury threw to Mason on fourth down.

The two teams then traded field goals in the second period, before Green Bay’s Brandon McManus made a 32-yarder to Richard from 59 yards with 10 seconds left in the half.

McManus added a 30-yarder and a 40-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Vikings: Guard Donovan Jackson (ankle) and OT Christian Dariso (foot) left in the second half. OLB Jonathan Greenard (shoulder) missed a second straight game.

Packers: CB Keisean Nixon left with a stinger in the first half. RB Josh Jacobs (hamstring), CB Nate Hobbs (hamstring), LB Q. Walker (neck) and WR Matthew Golden (ankle) did not play.

Vikings: Visit the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday.

Packers: Visit the Detroit Lions on Thursday.