Game story
In Week 16 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-12-24, the Green Bay Packers took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 38 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Favre (Green Bay Packers) paced the passing game, with +20.08 total EPA.
On the individual side, B. Favre (Green Bay Packers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.08 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-20.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Green Bay Packers changed the game: (8:31) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 84-J.Walker INTERCEPTED by 55-C.Claiborne at GB 15. 55-C.Claiborne for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers | 17 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 21 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Favre · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +20.08 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
- 2 D. Driver · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +19.23 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
- 3 D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +14.53 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 4 N. Burleson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +8.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +4.39 EPA/play
- 5 J. Walker · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +8.52 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
- 6 M. Bennett · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.76 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.59 EPA/play
- 7 R. Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.36 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.18 EPA/play
- 8 B. Franks · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +4.00 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.00 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Favre — GB · Passing
B. Favre posted the highest total EPA (+20.08) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Green Bay Packers's efficiency. Across 45 counted snaps, they averaged +0.45 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.80 EPA) came from Green Bay Packers: (8:31) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 84-J.Walker INTERCEPTED by 55-C.Claiborne at GB 15. 55-C.Claiborne for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Minnesota Vikings — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass)
- Green Bay Packers — A. Green
- Minnesota Vikings — N. Burleson (D. Culpepper pass)
- Green Bay Packers — B. Franks (B. Favre pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — M. Bennett (D. Culpepper pass)
- Green Bay Packers — J. Walker (B. Favre pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — C. Claiborne
- Green Bay Packers — D. Driver (B. Favre pass)
Field goals
- Green Bay Packers — R. Longwell
- Minnesota Vikings — M. Andersen
- Green Bay Packers — R. Longwell
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 21–17. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the GB 12 (Q2 44:55) — (14:55) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 44:49) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q2 36:40) — (6:40) 30-A.Green right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 36:37) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the GB 68 (Q2 36:30) — (6:30) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 36:15) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the MIN 22 (Q2 31:23) — (1:23) 4-B.Favre pass to 88-B.Franks for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 31:17) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the GB 38 (Q2 31:08) — (1:08) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 23-M.Bennett for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on GB, Defensive Holding, declined.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 30:58) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the MIN 25 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 8-R.Longwell 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker..
The third quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 7–0. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the MIN 9 (Q3 22:47) — (7:47) 4-B.Favre pass to 84-J.Walker for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 22:41) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the GB 11 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 7-M.Andersen 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIN 93 (Q4 8:31) — (8:31) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 84-J.Walker INTERCEPTED by 55-C.Claiborne at GB 15. 55-C.Claiborne for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 8:18) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the MIN 3 (Q4 3:38) — (3:38) 4-B.Favre pass to 80-D.Driver for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 3:34) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the MIN 11 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 8-R.Longwell 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Green Bay Packers (Q4 8:31) — (8:31) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 84-J.Walker INTERCEPTED by 55-C.Claiborne at GB 15. 55-C.Claiborne for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Green Bay Packers (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 8-R.Longwell 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker.
- Green Bay Packers (Q4 3:38) — (3:38) 4-B.Favre pass to 80-D.Driver for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Green Bay Packers (Q3 24:53) — (9:53) 4-B.Favre pass to 80-D.Driver to MIN 25 for 34 yards (21-C.Chavous).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 36:30) — (6:30) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Green Bay Packers (Q4 8:31) — (8:31) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 84-J.Walker INTERCEPTED by 55-C.Claiborne at GB 15. 55-C.Claiborne for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 31:08) — (1:08) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 23-M.Bennett for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on GB, Defensive Holding, declined.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 36:30) — (6:30) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Green Bay Packers (Q4 3:38) — (3:38) 4-B.Favre pass to 80-D.Driver for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
B.Favre led all passers in efficiency for Green Bay Packers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Favre (Green Bay Packers) · 45 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +0.45 EPA/play · +20.08 total EPA
- D.Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) · 24 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +0.61 EPA/play · +14.53 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Green Bay Packers | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.250 | +0.282 |
| Offensive success rate | 57.3% | 53.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.446 | +0.589 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.031 | +0.007 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.282 | -0.250 |
| Defensive success rate | 46.3% | 42.7% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Green Bay Packers +0.25, Minnesota Vikings +0.28) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Green Bay Packers: 10 drives, +23.97 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 10 drives, +18.92 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Green Bay Packers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- B. Favre (Green Bay Packers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 44:55 · GB 12 · Score 0-6
(14:55) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 44:49 · GB 2 · Score 0-7
7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. - Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 36:40 · MIN 1 · Score 6-7
(6:40) 30-A.Green right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 36:37 · MIN 2 · Score 7-7
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 36:30 · GB 68 · Score 7-13
(6:30) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 36:15 · GB 2 · Score 7-14
7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. - Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 31:23 · MIN 22 · Score 13-14
(1:23) 4-B.Favre pass to 88-B.Franks for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 31:17 · MIN 2 · Score 14-14
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 31:08 · GB 38 · Score 14-20
(1:08) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 23-M.Bennett for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on GB, Defensive Holding, declined. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 30:58 · GB 2 · Score 14-21
7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. - Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · MIN 25 · Score 17-21
(:04) 8-R.Longwell 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker. - Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q3 22:47 · MIN 9 · Score 23-21
(7:47) 4-B.Favre pass to 84-J.Walker for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q3 22:41 · MIN 2 · Score 24-21
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · GB 11 · Score 24-24
(15:00) 7-M.Andersen 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 8:31 · MIN 93 · Score 24-30
(8:31) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 84-J.Walker INTERCEPTED by 55-C.Claiborne at GB 15. 55-C.Claiborne for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 8:18 · GB 2 · Score 24-31
7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. - Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 3:38 · MIN 3 · Score 30-31
(3:38) 4-B.Favre pass to 80-D.Driver for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 3:34 · MIN 2 · Score 31-31
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker. - Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · MIN 11 · Score 34-31
(:03) 8-R.Longwell 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings?
The Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings 34-31 in Week 16, 2004 on 2004-12-24.
What was the final score of Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings?
The final score was Green Bay Packers 34, Minnesota Vikings 31 (GB 34-31 MIN) in Week 16, 2004 on 2004-12-24.
What was the score by quarter in Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings?
Q2: Green Bay Packers 17, Minnesota Vikings 21; Q3: Green Bay Packers 7, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q4: Green Bay Packers 10, Minnesota Vikings 10; Final: Green Bay Packers 34, Minnesota Vikings 31.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings?
Minnesota Vikings touchdown — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass) (Q2 44:55) Green Bay Packers touchdown — A. Green (Q2 36:40) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — N. Burleson (D. Culpepper pass) (Q2 36:30) Green Bay Packers touchdown — B. Franks (B. Favre pass) (Q2 31:23) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Bennett (D. Culpepper pass) (Q2 31:08) Green Bay Packers touchdown — J. Walker (B. Favre pass) (Q3 22:47) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — C. Claiborne (Q4 8:31) Green Bay Packers touchdown — D. Driver (B. Favre pass) (Q4 3:38) Green Bay Packers field goal — R. Longwell (Q2 30:04, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — M. Andersen (Q4 15:00, 3 pts) Green Bay Packers field goal — R. Longwell (Q4 0:03, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings?
B. Favre (Green Bay Packers), 66.7% completion, +0.45 EPA per dropback, +20.08 total passing EPA. D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings), 66.7% completion, +0.61 EPA per dropback, +14.53 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings?
B. Favre (Green Bay Packers) led the game in total EPA with +20.08 on passing plays. across 45 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.80 EPA): (8:31) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 84-J.Walker INTERCEPTED by 55-C.Claiborne at GB 15. 55-C.Claiborne for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -20.7%.
Was Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Green Bay Packers won 34-31 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Green Bay Packers
Entered 8-6 Now 9-6 W
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 8-6 Now 8-7 L
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