Vikings Storm Back From Kyler Murray Injury Scare to Stun Packers 39-22

Kyler Murray's Minnesota debut couldn't have started worse, but the Vikings didn't need him to finish the job, storming back from a nine-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Packers 39-22 in a chaotic season opener at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Murray Ruled Out with Concussion

Murray, who beat out J.J. McCarthy for the starting job over the offseason, was picked off by Green Bay's Keisean Nixon on just the second play of the game, setting up an early Packers field goal. Things got worse in the first quarter when Murray slid to end a scramble and was hit while down by safety Javon Bullard, with edge rusher Lukas Van Ness also making contact — drawing an unnecessary roughness flag.

Murray walked off under his own power but was quickly ruled out with a concussion, handing the offense to backup Carson Wentz.

Packers Took an Early Lead

Green Bay took full advantage early. Christian Watson turned in a two-touchdown day, including an 81-yard score, and the Packers built a 19-10 halftime lead before extending it to 22-17 heading into the fourth quarter.

That's when Minnesota flipped the game. Wentz found Justin Jefferson for a touchdown to cut into the deficit, and running back Aaron Jones capped the surge with a go-ahead touchdown run with 6:37 left, part of what the Vikings' broadcast crew called a fourth-quarter "avalanche" that buried Green Bay in the final period.

Wentz, forced into action in relief, steadied the offense despite a shaky start (1-of-3 on his first drive), and Jefferson's presence down the stretch proved decisive as Minnesota out-scored the Packers by a wide margin in the fourth quarter alone to turn a nail-biter into a comfortable final margin.

The result is a statement win for a Vikings team that entered the year with a new-look quarterback room — Murray signed over the offseason and won the job outright, pushing McCarthy behind Wentz on the depth chart — and it came despite losing that same quarterback to injury in the first quarter of his very first start in purple. Head coach Kevin O'Connell will now face questions about Murray's status for Week 2 as the team awaits further concussion evaluation.

For Green Bay, it's a tough way to open the season: a big early lead built on explosive plays from Watson evaporated in a fourth quarter the Packers couldn't slow down, and questions about the defense's ability to close out games will follow the team into Week 2.

Minnesota heads into next week riding the momentum of a signature comeback, while the immediate storyline shifts to Murray's health and how long Wentz may need to hold down the starting job in his place.

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