With the loss to the Vikings, the Packers once again failed to put in a top performance against a top NFC team

MINNEAPOLIS – The top of the NFC standings towers over the Green Bay Packers on their way to the playoffs, casting a long shadow in the form of Vikings, Lions and Eagles over an otherwise promising season on both sides of the ball.

Because even though the Packers (11-5) had played until the end, they had left Minnesota with a rather bleak playoff outlook after stumbling into a 17-point deficit that proved too big for their late lead in the 27-25 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

“They continued to compete and fight, but that’s just not possible against good teams. “The margins in this league, especially against a good football team, are razor thin,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “I don’t think we were at our best, but that’s a credit to them for our slow start – and I am as much as anyone.”

The Packers gained 126 yards in the fourth quarter and still finished with a season-low 271 yards. The defense allowed 441 yards, which was also its worst of the season.

However, the most stark numbers after this frustrating afternoon were these: 0-5. This is Green Bay’s record against the NFC’s top three teams: Minnesota, Detroit and Philadelphia.

There’s no shame in losing to opponents who have a 40-7 overall record through Monday, especially when four of those losses – aside from the 10-point loss to the Lions on Nov. 3 – came by a total of 12 points .

“It’s not about who we can beat and who we can’t. We can beat anyone. If we figure out how we end up doing, we’re going to win games,” cornerback Keisean Nixon said.

But the Packers will most likely be in the playoffs the entire time, so any path to the Super Bowl would undoubtedly involve rematches with one, two or even all three teams from this daunting trio.

The Packers are clearly not outclassed by the Vikings, Lions or Eagles, but in games against these top opponents that significantly reduce the margin for error, the Packers have exhibited a worrying pattern of not seizing the moment with too many untimely errors and Neither do this enough large pieces.

“It’s hard when you back yourself into a corner, you’re down early and you shoot yourself in the foot,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “There is so much to clean up and improve, but I think we are still a really good team. We can collect points. But when you put yourself in a hole, it’s just hard to climb out of that hole. And when it’s a good team like the Vikings, it becomes even more difficult.”

The red flag came immediately.

Josh Jacobs, the NFL’s fourth-leading rusher, had just given the Packers a second first down on the game’s first drive when defensive tackle Jerry Tillery pushed the ball out and safety Cam Bynum recovered at the Minnesota 38. Jacobs had gone 11 straight games without a fumble until losing one on December 15 in Seattle. Now he has coughed up the ball twice in three games.

“I feel like it took the energy out of the team early on,” Jacobs said. “It’s important for me personally that the team starts quickly and things like that. Yes, that’s up to me.”

Although the Vikings punted on the ensuing possession, they moved the ball enough to flip field position. Perhaps wary of Jacobs’ fumble, LaFleur completed three straight passes from his own 15-yard line and Love missed all three to force a punt.

After a breakthrough performance here a year ago in a 33-10 win over the Vikings that helped the Packers get into the playoffs after a tough start and capitalize on the momentum with a first-round win at Dallas Love’s terrible pass amid the blitz cocktail was ordered by Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, setting off a ferocious pass rush. He finished the game 19 for 30 for 185 yards and a touchdown.

“They do a good job of keeping the coverage under control. “That’s how they play,” LaFleur said. “We knew before the game started there would be minimal opportunities to push the ball down the field. “You have to be super efficient. You have to stick to the schedule because once you get to the third round, they are really good there.”