The Green Bay Packers got the spark they needed from Matt Flynn. They took the lead in overtime. They still couldn't finish the job.
The Packers rallied back from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime, then traded field goals with the Minnesota Vikings in the extra period in a 26-26 deadlock at Lambeau Field. It's the first tie of the 2013 NFL season and the first at Lambeau Field since 1978.
The tie snaps a three-game losing streak for the Packers, but it extends their winless streak to one month. That kind of dry spell could come back to haunt them in a very competitive conference.
Here's what else we learned:
1. Think the Packers are happy they signed Flynn now? The embattled quarterback might have saved Green Bay's season in leading three scoring drives in the fourth quarter and overtime. One pretty TD scramble aside, Scott Tolzien was not getting it done and likely saw his opportunity go by the boards. Expect Flynn to be under center on Thanksgiving if Aaron Rodgers isn't ready to return.
2. Adrian Peterson is greatness in real time. Peterson clearly isn't playing at 100 percent, but he still piled up 146 yards and one touchdown to lead the Vikings' offense. Toby Gerhart was extremely impressive in overtime, powering the Vikings' game-tying drive. The Vikings rushed for 232 yards as a team.
3. Clay Matthews is all the way back for the Packers. The linebacker -- in his third game since his return from a broken thumb -- finished with two sacks, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits. The Packers' defense has plenty of issues, but Matthews isn't one of them.
4. Eddie Lacy strengthened his Offensive Rookie Of The Year resume with 158 total yards and one touchdown. He earned every one of those yards, too, running like a maniac all game. It might explain why he went to the locker room during overtime.
5. The Packers are still in OK shape. The Bears and Lions both lost, meaning Green Bay actually picked up ground in the NFC North. So the tie is a win. Kind of.
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