GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers are stumbling into their NFC championship game rematch after revealing the same weakness that cost them a trip to the Super Bowl last season.
When an opposing running back starts heating up, the Packers rarely find a way to slow him down.
That problem arose again Sunday as Dalvin Cook scored four touchdowns and gained 226 yards from scrimmage in the Minnesota Vikings’ 28-22 victory over the Packers, which marked Green Bay’s first NFC North loss since Matt LaFleur took over as coach last season.
The gusty conditions at Lambeau Field that made every downfield pass an adventure meant the Packers knew the Vikings (2-5) would hand the ball to Cook repeatedly.