Emanuel Wilson, Packers stifle Vikings to begin NFC North gauntlet

GREEN BAY -- Injury replacement Emanuel Wilson ran for a career-high 107 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Green Bay Packers to a 23-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North matchup Sunday.

Wilson, filling in for injured starter Josh Jacobs, was the first 100-yard rusher this season for Green Bay. Jacobs, who injured his knee last week against the Giants, was limited at practice, then declared inactive shortly before the game.

Green Bay (7-3-1) entered a half-game behind division-leading Chicago and a half-game ahead of defending division champion Detroit. The game against Minnesota was the first of five against division rivals in a seven-game span.

Minnesota (4-7) managed just 145 yards of total offense in its fifth loss over the last six games.

J.J. McCarthy, making his sixth career start, completed 12 of 19 passes for 87 yards and two interceptions with a passer rating of 34.2. McCarthy was under near-constant pressure and sacked five times.

Jordan Love completed 14 of 21 passes for 139 yards for Green Bay. Christian Watson had five catches for 49 yards.

The Packers capitalized on a muffed punt by Myles Price on the first series of the third quarter to go in front 17-6. Green Bay recovered at the Vikings 5-yard line and two plays later, Wilson scored from 1 yard out.

Brandon McManus added field goals of 30 and 40 yards to extend the lead to 23-6.

Will Reichard's 59-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in the half pulled Minnesota within 10-6.

Green Bay stopped Jordan Mason short on fourth-and-1 and responded with a 68-yard drive ending in Brandon McManus' 32-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead with 2:25 remaining in the second quarter.

Reichard's 52-yard field goal on the opening series put Minnesota in front 3-0.

The Packers took a 7-3 lead on their first possession on a 1-yard touchdown run by Wilson. Love set up the score with an 18-yard pass to Dontayvion Wicks.

--Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media