Rodgers, Packers Cruise Past Vikings 44-31 in Border Battle 1

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 44-31 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.

Rodgers completed 24 of 29 passes and Jordy Nelson had 123 yards receiving for the Packers. Micah Hyde returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter, and Eddie Lacy rushed for 94 yards and a score for Green Bay (5-2).

Cordarrelle Patterson set an NFL record with a 109-yard return on the opening kickoff and Adrian Peterson rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (1-6). But Christian Ponder struggled again in his return to the starting lineup and the Packers scored on every possession until they took a knee to end the game.

[Photos Tommy Williams Photography]