Jordan Love throws 3 touchdowns as Packers beat Vikings 24-16 in Week 1

Minneapolis, MN - Jordan Love opened the season with three touchdown passes and a 146.1 passer rating, while Green Bay's defense intercepted Kyler Murray three times as the Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-16 in Week 1.

The result came with a statistical profile that favored Minnesota in several major categories. The Vikings recorded 26 first downs and 456 offensive yards, exceeding Green Bay's totals of 16 first downs and 388 offensive yards. Minnesota also rushed for 179 yards, more than doubling the Packers' 68.

Green Bay, however, had the cleaner performance at quarterback. Love completed 23 of 30 passes for 337 yards without an interception. His three touchdown passes went to Tucker Kraft, Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, giving the Packers production from multiple parts of their receiving group.

"I liked the way we took care of the football and gave our guys opportunities," Love said. "We had different people involved, and I thought we were efficient when the ball was in my hands. That's a good place to start, but there are still things we can clean up."

Kraft led Green Bay with 115 receiving yards on five catches, including a touchdown and a 47-yard reception. Reed caught six passes for 77 yards and a score, with his longest reception covering 66 yards. Watson added three receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown.

That group gave Love enough options to post one of the game's most striking numbers: He averaged more than 11 yards per passing attempt while completing better than 76% of his throws. The Packers also converted eight of 14 third downs, while the Vikings finished 2-for-9 in that category.

"You want to be dependable whenever the ball comes your way," Kraft said. "There was room for all of us to contribute, and Jordan gave us chances to finish. To come out of Week 1 with a win is what matters."

The Packers' rushing production looked much different from their passing output. Josh Jacobs was limited to 15 yards on 17 carries, with a long run of five yards. Love supplied 52 rushing yards on four attempts, including a 32-yard run.

Minnesota found substantially more room on the ground. Jordan Mason carried 16 times for 101 yards, averaging more than six yards per attempt and breaking a 29-yard run. Murray added 54 yards on five carries and scored a rushing touchdown, giving the Vikings two players with at least 50 yards on the ground.

Through the air, Murray completed 24 of 36 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown. Jordan Addison caught that scoring pass and finished with four receptions for 69 yards. Jauan Jennings added four catches for 67 yards, while Justin Jefferson recorded five receptions for 65 yards.

Murray's three interceptions stood as the sharpest contrast to Minnesota's advantages in yardage and first downs. Zaire Franklin recorded an interception with a seven-yard return, and Javon Bullard had another with a 16-yard return. The Packers finished with three interceptions and three sacks as a team.

"The yardage doesn't erase the turnovers," Murray said. "Three interceptions are too many. We moved the ball and had a lot of first downs, but I have to be better with our possessions. That's the part of the game I'm most disappointed in."

Minnesota's defense supplied pressure of its own, recording four sacks without forcing an interception. Jalen Redmond accounted for two of those sacks. The Vikings also went 1-for-2 on fourth down and finished with two touchdowns and one field goal in four red-zone trips. Green Bay had one touchdown and one field goal across its four red-zone visits.

The difference between offensive volume and passing efficiency defined the box score. Minnesota gained 68 more offensive yards and collected 10 more first downs, but Love finished with three touchdown passes, no interceptions and an 80-point advantage in passer rating over Murray. Green Bay leaves Minneapolis with a 24-16 victory to begin Week 1.