Vikings have disastrous second half in 23-6 loss to Packers

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson: 'It's frustrating to lose' [FULL]

Minnesota Vikings players Justin Jefferson, Josh Metellus, Will Reichard, Ryan Kelly and Aaron Jones react from the locker room after a 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field to drop to 4-7 on the season.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Green Bay Packers 23-6 on Sunday at Lambeau Field to fall to 4-7 on the season, and 2-2 in the NFC North Division in one of their worst games of the season so far.

Vikings’ quarterback J.J. McCarthy continues to struggle, the special teams unit continues to make catastrophic mistakes and the offensive line lost two starters to injury Sunday. The Vikings were shut out in the second half 13-0, and had four net yards of offense over the final 30 minutes. They had -1 rushing yards.

J.J. McCarthy after Vikings loss: "It sucks, I've got to be better'

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy speaks with reporters after a 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. McCarthy threw for just 87 yards, was intercepted twice and sacked five times.

"I told our team we did not play in any way, shape or form the type of half that would give us a chance to compete. You’re not going to come to Lambeau Field and win a game playing like that in the second half," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said after the game.

The big play

How it happened:

The Vikings were down 10-6 at the half and forced a Packers’ punt. Myles Price signaled for a fair catch, let the ball fall behind him and then inexplicably backed up and touched the football, making it live.

Kevin O'Connell after Vikings loss: 'Our margin for error is razor thin'

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with reporters after Sunday's 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Vikings drop to 4-7 on the season, and sit in last place in the NFC North Division with six games to play.

"That was a pretty catastrophic turnover to give them a free chance at seven points," O'Connell said. "On that play I know what Myles was trying to do. He’s trying to fair catch and see if he can get a piece of the gunner for the ball to have time to get in the end zone. First and foremost, we’ve got to be able to make the initial play which is the decision not to catch that ball, and then we’ve got to get all Minnesota Vikings away from it. We’ve got to get some of those things handled."

The Packers recovered, and two plays later, Emanuel Wilson scored his second touchdown of the day to give Green Bay a 17-6 lead. Last week, the special teams unit gave up a big kick return after the Vikings scored a go-ahead touchdown late in regulation, and it led to a game-winning field goal for the Chicago Bears.

Earlier this season, Price fumbled a kick return that resulted in a touchdown for the Baltimore Ravens in a loss at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Vikings’ horrible second half

By the numbers:

McCarthy made his fifth career start on Sunday, and things aren’t getting any better. The Vikings had -1 total yards in the second half as McCarthy held the ball too long and got sacked five times. He was also intercepted twice, with his arm being hit on the first throw. The second sailed on a pass to Jalen Nailor, which Isaiah McDuffie picked off. The Packers’ defense celebrated in the end zone by mocking the Vikings’ "Skol" chant.

The Vikings got out-scored 13-0 in the second half, with the offensive line unable to protect McCarthy. Minnesota managed just 145 total yards, and McCarthy threw for just 87.

"It sucks. I’ve got to better," McCarthy said.