Vikings Complete Historic 39-22 Comeback Over Packers in First-Ever NFL Score

Key points

• The 39-22 final score is the 1,097th unique result in NFL history, occurring for the first time ever.
• Minnesota became the first team to trail by 12 or more points with under 20 minutes left and win by 17 or more points, according to OptaSTATS.
• Backup quarterback Carson Wentz threw three touchdown passes and no interceptions, matching a record last set by Fran Tarkenton in 1961.
• The Packers committed 12 accepted penalties for 98 yards, compared to three for 15 yards by the Vikings, which the defense cited as the primary reason for the collapse.
• Kyler Murray suffered a concussion in the first quarter, ending his Vikings debut early and forcing Wentz into the game.

Background

This game marked the second time this decade the Vikings and Packers have been involved in a scorigami, following a 43-34 Packers win in 2020. The 2026 season has already produced two unique scores in Week 1, reaching half the total of four scorigamis recorded in the entire 2025 season. The Vikings had previously recorded a scorigami in a 52-33 loss to the Saints in 2020, while the Packers' last unique score was a 40-40 tie with the Cowboys in 2025.

How outlets are covering it

CBS Sports emphasized the historic nature of the 39-22 score and the rarity of two scorigamis occurring in a single day, a feat last seen in 2019. The Minnesota Vikings' official coverage highlighted the statistical anomaly of the comeback margin and Carson Wentz's performance, noting his achievement as the first reserve quarterback to throw three touchdowns in a season opener since Fran Tarkenton. The Green Bay Packers' perspective focused on defensive discipline, with players like Keisean Nixon and Edgerrin Cooper lamenting that 12 accepted penalties, including three that negated potential stops, directly caused the fourth-quarter collapse. While CBS and the Vikings focused on the offensive explosion, the Packers' report stressed that the team's inability to play clean football in critical moments was the decisive factor in the loss.

Why it matters

The game highlights the volatility of NFL Week 1 and the impact of backup quarterback performance. It also underscores how defensive discipline and penalty management can determine the outcome of close games, as the Packers' 12 penalties effectively handed the Vikings the game. The historic score adds to the growing narrative of high-scoring, unpredictable games in the modern NFL.

What to watch

The Vikings will face the Chicago Bears in a home opener on Sunday. The Packers will return home to evaluate their defensive discipline and offensive line stability, particularly after injuries to starting left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele affected the game. Both teams will look to adjust their strategies for Week 2, with the Vikings aiming to build on their historic comeback and the Packers seeking to correct their penalty issues.