Vikings Defense Struggles in an Offensive Shootout Loss Against Green Bay

The Minnesota Vikings defense struggled a lot in the loss to Green Bay today.
Minnesota Vikings 34 - Green Bay Packers 46

Statline:
Minnesota:
QB:
K. Cousins 19/25 259 yds 2 TD 1 INT 118.6 rtg (4 rushes - 34 yds)
RB:
D. Cook 12 car 50 yds 4.2 avg 2 TD 12 long
A. Mattison 6 car 50 yds 8.3 avg 21 long
WR:
A. Thielen 6/8 110 yds 18.3 avg 2 TD
B. Johnson 3/4 56 yds 18.7 avg
K. Rudolph 2/2 28 yds 14.0 avg
J. Jefferson 2/3 26 yds 13.0 avg
K:
D. Bailey 1/1 FG (35) 1/1 XP

Game Summary:
This game started off as a defensive showdown. The first quarter ended as Minnesota leading 7-3. Green Bay stalled in the redzone once and grabbed a field goal. Meanwhile, Minnesota had only one drive that resulted in a Cousins-Thielen connection for the first Vikings touchdown of the season. I have a feeling we will see that a lot this season.
However, the second quarter rolled around and all hell broke loose for the Vikings defense. Momentum was lost first when the Vikings took over right away in the quarter since Green Bay had just stalled. Cousins was tackled in the endzone for a safety. The offense stalled for most of the quarter after that. The defense proceeded to allow 2 touchdowns and a field goal. Those 2 TD's came within 2 mins of each other as Cousins threw a weird interception intended for Thielen. Finally the offense was able to get on the board again in the last minute of the half with a field goal.
The third quarter was a lot of Vikings defense. They only allowed one touchdown in the 3rd quarter, which wasn't terrible. The offense just continued to sputter. 
In the fourth quarter, things livened up. The offense was able to put up 3 touchdowns in very quick fashion. And if this defense was last year's defense this may have been enough to push the Vikings over the hump and win the game. However this very young secondary could not get a stop this quarter and ultimately the Vikings lost.

Takeaways:
In general, I really liked the showing from the offense today. After the odd interception, Cousins looked like he was focused and locked in with 2 passing TD's today. Cook looked ok even though he only produced 50 rushing yards today. Adam Thielen looked all around as the Vikings MVP today as he pulled in 6 receptions for 110 yards with 2 touchdowns. 
What really disappointed me today is the defense. I know we have a very young secondary, but I had thought that the new defensive end would bring some pressure to Rodgers today but he was pretty much useless. Its going to be rough going until Danielle Hunter comes back potentially in Week 4. Lets hope this defense grows up very quick, cause we won't be going anywhere until they can make a stop.

Injury Report:
Still the only notable Vikings injury is DE Danielle Hunter. He was put on Injured Reserve early this week. He isn't eligible to return until at least Week 4.

Up Next:
The Vikings now travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts who also lost this weekend in Jacksonville. Kickoff is next Sunday, September 20th at 12 PM CT on FOX.

#SKOL