×

Kicking woes hurt Packers and Vikings

Green Bay Packers' Clay Matthews is called for a roughing the passer penalty during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. The game ended in a 29-29 tie. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

GREEN BAY (AP) — A tie felt odd to Kirk Cousins.

On one hand, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to help rally his team from a 20-7 deficit against the Green Bay Packers.

But three missed field goals, including two in overtime, by rookie Daniel Carlson hurt. So did a pass from Cousins that bounced off Laquon Treadwell’s hands late in the fourth quarter that was intercepted by Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

It added up to a 29-29 tie on Sunday.

“I don’t know what to feel after a tie. I don’t know how to answer that,” said Cousins, who finished 35 of 48 for 425 yards. “It’s a unique place to be and proud of the way that the whole team … the way everybody stayed in it and fought.”

If only the Vikings could convert one of those field goals into points.

Carlson’s 35-yarder as time expired in overtime went right of the uprights, just like his kick from 49 earlier in overtime. Carlson also missed from 48 in the second quarter.

“It’s disappointing when you’ve got an opportunity to win the football game there at the end and you come up with a tie. It’s better than a loss,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said.

The result at Lambeau Field overshadowed memorable performances by both quarterbacks.

Green Bay star Aaron Rodgers played with a brace on his injured left knee and threw for 281 yards and a 9-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams .

But a mishandled handoff with 5:17 left in overtime cost the Packers a chance at another long field-goal attempt. Rodgers recovered the fumble on second-and-1 at the 37, and he was sacked on third down to push Green Bay back to the 47.

He wasn’t happy about the tie either.

“Close to an ‘L.’ Doesn’t feel great,” Rodgers said.

Packers kicker Mason Crosby matched a career high with five field goals, but his potential game-winner from 52 went wide left as time expired in regulation.

It was the second straight week with a tie in the NFL after the Steelers and Browns played to a draw in their opener.

“It’s gross. I don’t like it. Obviously, you hate losing. A tie is just weird,” Crosby said.

Some other notes from the game:

RODGERS’ KNEE

Rodgers played well given his injury. He was sacked four times, though the protection held up relatively well, especially early in the game. While he didn’t have his typical mobility that allows him to buy time for receivers, he was able to move around enough to scramble out of trouble on occasion. Operating out of shotgun or pistol formations also bought Rodgers more time.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today