The Packers’ recovery fails with the return of Jordan Love as Sam Darnold leads the Vikings 4-0

Jordan Love’s return to the field on Sunday was a welcome sight in Green Bay. But it wasn’t enough to defeat the red-hot Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings took a 28-0 first-half lead at Lambeau Field and then held on to a 31-29 win against the Packers. The Vikings are now 4-0 with Sam Darnold at quarterback and in early control of the NFC North.

The Packers fell to 2-2 when Love showed signs of rust in his first appearance since suffering an MCL sprain in Week 1. He threw two interceptions in the first half, both of which turned into touchdowns en route to a 28-0 lead for the Vikings.

A third interception in the fourth quarter ended late hopes of a recovery. Green Bay outscored Minnesota 29-3 after digging out of an early 28-0 hole. But a failed onside kick attempt in the last minute secured the victory for the Vikings.

The Vikings make the Packers pay for several turnovers

In the first quarter, Vikings linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill intercepted Love near midfield on a pass intended for Christian Watson.

The Vikings turned the turnover into a 46-yard touchdown drive, extending their lead to 21-0.

Then, late in the second quarter, a high pass thrown by Love slipped through the hands of tight end Luke Musgrave. Romeo Doubs had a chance to catch the tipped ball, but it bounced off his hands and into those of Minnesota linebacker Shaq Griffin.

Griffin returned the ball to the Green Bay 4-yard line and the Vikings scored three plays later with Darnold’s third touchdown pass of the day, this time to Justin Jefferson.

The Packers didn’t score until a deflected punt just before halftime got the offense going with first-and-goal at the 3-yard line.

The Packers carried that momentum into the second half, cutting their deficit to 28-22 in the fourth quarter. But the Vikings answered with a field goal, giving them a two-possession lead midway through the fourth to keep the Packers at bay.

Then, with 6:13 left, Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted Love on a deep ball into the end zone.

Love’s third interception of the day nearly sealed the victory for the Vikings, whose 4-0 start with Darnold at quarterback is one of the biggest upsets of the NFL season. The Packers are now four games into the season, trailing by two games in the NFC North.

I’ve had a difficult start since the contract extension

Love signed a four-year, $220 million extension to his rookie contract in the offseason after opting out at the end of 2023 in his first season as Green Bay’s starter following the departure of Aaron Rodgers. Sunday’s defeat continues Love’s difficult campaign since he signed the contract.

Love suffered an MCL sprain on Green Bay’s final possession of a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. Backup Malik Willis took over at quarterback and led the team in a 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 and a 30-14 win over the Tennessee Titans last week.

Love then returned on Sunday at the early end of his recovery period, after initially being expected to miss three to six weeks with his knee injury. The rust showed as Love made repeated errors against an aggressive Vikings pass rush that maintained pressure throughout the game.

If there’s any consolation from Sunday’s loss, Love was able to shift Green Bay’s offense after halftime as the Packers threatened a late surge. He finished the game completing 32 of 54 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns.

But Love’s three interceptions and a fourth Packers turnover after a Tucker Kraft fumble late in the fourth quarter ultimately dashed Green Bay’s hopes.

The Packers will look to get back on the winning list next Sunday in a Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS). The Vikings will look to extend their start to 5-0 in a Week 5 game against the New York Jets in London (9:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network).