GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Sam Darnold threw three touchdown passes and Jordan Addison scored twice as the Minnesota Vikings built an early 28-point lead and hung on down the stretch to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-29 on Sunday. The Vikings (4-0) are off to their best start since 2016, when they won their first five games before slumping to an 8-8 finish.
They have trailed for less than 3 1/2 minutes all season. Minnesota spoiled the return of Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who returned after missing two games with an injured left medial collateral ligament . He threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns, both career highs.
But he also matched a career high with three interceptions while going 32 of 54. Jayden Reed had seven receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown for the Packers (2-2). Green Bay got within 31-29 on Dontayvion Wicks’ second fourth-quarter touchdown catch — a 17-yarder with 56 seconds left.
Minnesota’s Josh Oliver recovered Daniel Whelan’s ensuing onside kick — it actually was a drop kick — to secure the victory. Darnold was 20 of 28 for 275 yards with touchdown passes of 29 yards to Addison, 2 yards to Oliver and 14 yards to Justin Jefferson. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble.
Addison, who had missed Minnesota’s last two games with an ankle injury, also scored on a 7-yard run. The game featured seven turnovers — four by Green Bay and three by Minnesota. Former Packers running back Aaron Jones had 22 carries for 93 yards and four c.