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Packers fall apart after late gamble backfires as Vikings rally to stun rivals without Kyler Murray

The Minnesota Vikings staged an astonishing fourth-quarter turnaround to defeat the Green Bay Packers 39-22 at U.S. Bank Stadium in their 2026 season opener.

Minnesota faced early adversity when starting quarterback Kyler Murray exited the contest prematurely, allowing Green Bay to build a 22-10 advantage. However, the contest completely unraveled for the visitors after Packers head coach Matt LaFleur chose to take points off the board on a failed fourth-down risk, sparking a staggering 29-0 unanswered surge by the home side.

Keyed in part by a Justin Jefferson two-point conversion during the final period, the Vikings capitalized on the momentum swing alongside controversial officiating decisions that frustrated Green Bay. The defeat drops the Packers to 0-1 at the bottom of the NFC North, marking another painful second-half collapse reminiscent of their surrendered 21-3 advantage against Chicago the previous January.

Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon had entered the matchup voicing worries over Minnesota's passing weapons while playing without Micah Parsons, concerns that proved prophetic as the Vikings surged to an improbable Week 1 victory.

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