Vikings vs. Packers Rivalry

Lore & Background

In the modern era, the Minnesota Vikings have been the biggest NFC North challenger to the Green Bay Packers. While the Packers have won almost 75% of their games against the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions since the beginning of quarterback Brett Favre’s first season in 1992, they have only won ~50% of their games against the Vikings (going 35–31–2 in that period). CBS ranked it the #3 NFL rivalry of the 2000s. Notable moments include the Packers under Vince Lombardi beating the Vikings in nine of the first ten meetings (1961–1965); in Minnesota's four Super Bowl seasons (1969, 1973, 1974, 1976) the Vikings won seven of eight meetings; Vikings' coach Bud Grant went 22–14–1 against the Packers.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across the frozen turf at Lambeau Field, carrying the biting chill that only November in Wisconsin can provide. Inside the stadium, the roar of sixty thousand fans created a wall of sound that seemed to vibrate through the very ground. A Viking receiver broke free down the sideline, his breath visible in the frigid air as he sprinted toward the end zone, knowing this single play could shift the momentum of a decades-long war between two proud franchises.

Reader's Guide

Key games: September 26, 1993 – Vikings trailed 13–12, Jim McMahon found Cris Carter on 4th and 8, then hit Eric Guliford for a 45-yard bomb to set up Fuad Reveiz's fifth field goal for a 15–13 win. October 5, 1998 – Randy Moss had five catches for 190 yards and two TDs in a 37–24 Vikings win, ending an 18-game Packers home winning streak. November 6, 2000 – Antonio Freeman caught a deflected pass for a game-winning TD in overtime, prompting Al Michaels' 'He did what?' December 24, 2004 – Packers won 34–31 on a last-second Ryan Longwell field goal to clinch the NFC North. January 9, 2005 – Vikings won 31–17 in their first playoff meeting; Randy Moss faux mooned fans, called 'a disgusting act' by Joe Buck. 2007 Week Four – Brett Favre broke Dan Marino's all-time passing touchdown record on a 16-yard pass to Greg Jennings. November 9, 2008 – Vikings won 28–27 on a missed 52-yard field goal by Mason Crosby. October 5, 2009 – Vikings beat Packers 30–23 in Favre's first game against his former team. October 24, 2010 – Packers won 28–24; Favre suffered a left ankle injury. November 21, 2010 – Packers routed Vikings 31–3; Brad Childress was fired the next day. December 30, 2012 – Adrian Peterson's late scamper set up winning field goal in 37–34 Vikings win. January 5, 2013 – Packers defeated Vikings 24–10 in Wild Card round. 2015 Week 17 – Vikings won 20–13 to claim first division title since 2009. 2016 Week 2 – Vikings won 17–14 in first game at U.S. Bank Stadium. October 15, 2017 – Anthony Barr's tackle broke Aaron Rodgers' collarbone; Vikings finished 13–3, Packers 7–9.

Did You Know?

• The Packers lead the overall series 67–61–3.
• The two teams have met twice in the playoffs, each winning one.
• Vikings' coach Bud Grant went 22–14–1 against the Packers.
• Randy Moss's faux moon in the 2005 playoff game was called 'a disgusting act' by Joe Buck.
• Brett Favre broke Dan Marino's all-time passing touchdown record against the Vikings in 2007.