Sam Darnold and undefeated Vikings dominate first half and hang on to beat Packers 31-29

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings keep proving skeptics wrong while maintaining early control of the NFC North race.

Darnold threw three touchdown passes and Jordan Addison scored twice as the undefeated Vikings built an early 28-point lead and hung on down the stretch to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-29 on Sunday.

Picked by many to finish last in the NFC North, the Vikings (4-0) are off to their best start since 2016, when they won their first five games before slumping to an 8-8 finish. They've trailed for less than 3 1/2 minutes all season.

“At the end of the day, we believe in each other more than anyone else believes in us,” Darnold said.

Minnesota spoiled the return of Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who returned after missing two games with an injured left medial collateral ligament. He threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns, both career highs. But he also matched a career high with three interceptions while going 32 of 54.

“We fought the whole game and started making plays later, but too little, too late,” Love said.

Green Bay (2-2) got within 31-29 on Dontayvion Wicks’ second fourth-quarter touchdown catch — a 17-yarder with 56 seconds left. Minnesota’s Josh Oliver recovered Daniel Whelan’s ensuing onside kick — it actually was a drop kick — to secure the victory.

Darnold was 20 of 28 for 275 yards with touchdown passes of 29 yards to Addison, 2 yards to Oliver and 14 yards to Justin Jefferson. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble.

Addison, who had missed Minnesota’s last two games with an ankle injury, also scored on a 7-yard run.

Former Packers running back Aaron Jones had 22 carries for 93 yards and four catches for 46 yards in his return to Lambeau Field. Jones spent seven seasons with Green Bay before getting released and signing with the Vikings in March.

Jones had said he would do a “Lambeau leap" into the stands if he scored a touchdown. Jones never reached the end zone Sunday, but he still leaped into a section of Vikings fans in the stands on his way to the locker room after the game.

“As we were taking that last kneel, the Packers defense, they’re like, ‘Ahh, we didn’t let you Lambeau leap here. We didn’t let you Lambeau leap in our house,’” Jones said. “I’m like, ‘You guys are worried about me Lambeau leaping? You guys should be worried about the score.’ I came here and got what I wanted. But I did get my Lambeau leap in, so I got a two-for-one.”

Jayden Reed had seven receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown for the Packers.

The game featured seven turnovers — four by Green Bay and three by Minnesota.

Minnesota capitalized on two interceptions by Love and a pair of missed field goal attempts from Brayden Narveson to built its 28-0 lead in the first 25 minutes. It was the Vikings’ highest-scoring first half since 2017, when they scored 28 before halftime and beat Washington 38-30.

“This is a humbling league at times,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “Credit to them. They did more than we did to win the game. We’ve got to bounce back from it. We’ve got to learn from it and get better.”

Minnesota scored on each of its first three possessions as Darnold picked apart a Green Bay secondary missing injured cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Carrington Valentine. When the Packers finally forced a punt, Shaq Griffin delivered a 28-yard interception return to set up one more Vikings touchdown.

The Vikings led 28-7 and had second-and-1 from the Green Bay 20 in the third quarter when Xavier McKinney picked off Darnold, becoming the first Packer to intercept a pass in each of his first four games with the team.

That helped Green Bay creep back into the game.

Love threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Wicks and a 13-yarder to Tucker Craft to cut Minnesota’s lead to 28-22 with 10:16 remaining. Minnesota regrouped on its next possession, with a couple of completions to Jefferson setting up Will Reichard's 33-yard kick with 6:50 left.

The Packers got one last chance after Minnesota’s Jailen Nailor was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the Green Bay 4 with less than 2 1/2 minutes left. Love engineered a quick 96-yard drive to cut the margin to two.

But the Packers will continue staring up at the surprising Vikings in the NFC North standings.

“I know what we have in this room is special,” said Byron Murphy, who had one of the Vikings’ three interceptions. “So all that outside noise, I keep saying, ‘Stay off the (band)wagon. Don’t try to jump on it now. You all can stay over there, whatever you all do, but we’re going to keep this thing going.’”

Packers WR Christian Watson was carted off the field after injuring an ankle on the play that resulted in an interception. “I have talked to Christian, and he told me that he thought it was just a sprain,” LaFleur said. ... Packers DL Devonte Wyatt hurt an ankle in the fourth quarter.

Vikings: Face the New York Jets on Sunday at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Packers: Visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) catches a touchdown pass in the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft, left, and wide receiver Romeo Doubs, right, celebrate a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) celebrates a touchdown with fans during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) waves to fans before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates a touchdown with teammates Trent Sherfield Sr. (11) and Aaron Jones (33) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, left, runs the ball past Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers defenders tackle Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, center, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) runs the ball past Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, right, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates his touchdown with teammates, Brandon Powell (4), Aaron Jones (33) and Tyrese Robinson (79) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates with fans after the team's win against the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates the team's win after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

SEATTLE (AP) — Logan Gilbert took a perfect game into the sixth inning to cap the best season of his career and Cal Raleigh hit a record-setting two-run homer as the Seattle Mariners beat the Athletics 6-4 on Sunday in their final game representing Oakland.

The final time for the A's with “Oakland” across the front of their gray road uniforms was nearly a historic day for Gilbert. He was overpowering from the outset and retired the first 17 batters of the game before Nick Allen's soft single into left field with two outs in the sixth inning.

That was it for Gilbert, who struck out seven and finished the season with 208 2/3 innings pitched, becoming the first Seattle pitcher to lead baseball in innings for a season. Gilbert (9-12) finished with 220 strikeouts and lowered his ERA to 3.23. And while Detroit's Tarik Skubal seems to be the consensus choice for the AL Cy Young Award, Gilbert should finish high in the voting.

“I know I get a lot of time off so I was just going to leave it all out there. I felt like I at least owed that to the fans and I know I'm going to be wishing on a random day in December or January I was at T-Mobile (Park) pitching against whoever," Gilbert said.

Raleigh's two-run homer to cap Seattle’s four-run fifth inning came on the final pitch from A’s starter Mitch Spence (8-10). It was Raleigh's 34th of the season and 93rd in his career, passing Mike Piazza for the most home runs by a catcher in their first four seasons.

The homer also gave Raleigh 100 RBIs, the first catcher in franchise history to reach that mark.

“That was a really cool moment. The past couple of days my phone's been blowing up, ‘Got to get to 100, got to get to 100.’ I'd obviously trade it in a heartbeat for a spot in the playoffs but that'll be a cool little feat to look back on one day," Raleigh said.

Justin Turner added a two-run single and Victor Robles and Julio Rodríguez both capped hot Septembers with RBI hits.

Seattle finished 85-77 after sweeping the A's, but for the first time in several years, the final series was meaningless for the Mariners after being eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday.

The final day for Oakland (69-93) was filled with appreciation and honor for the A's, along with feelings of sadness the team no longer would represent the East Bay city next season. The A's will relocate to Sacramento for the next few years before a planned move to Las Vegas.

Fans of the green and gold turned out for the finale, starting “Let's go Oakland” chants throughout the game, many of them wearing shirts or carrying signs imploring the A's current ownership to sell the team.

“The emotion of Thursday will never be matched, but today knowing the last game with the Oakland jersey, and the ‘Let’s go Oakland' chants in the ninth inning as loud as they were in a visiting stadium was pretty impressive,” A's manager Mark Kotsay said.

Tyler Nevin had a two-run double in the seventh inning to make sure Oakland's final game didn't end in a shutout and Darell Hernaiz had a two-run double in the ninth.

Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson threw out the ceremonial first pitch on the final day, wearing a half-A’s, half-Mariners jersey. While Henderson played the majority of his career in Oakland, he spent part of one season with Seattle in 2000.

Seattle finished the season with an unofficial total attendance of 2,554,868 after drawing 42,177 for the finale. That’s down slightly from last season when Seattle drew 2,690,418.

The A’s and Mariners will see each other again in Seattle to open next season on March 27, 2025.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Fans cheer as former Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics player Rickey Henderson delivers the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Mariners and Athletics, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert throws against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Former Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics player Rickey Henderson walks out to deliver the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Mariners and Athletics, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Oakland Athletics third base coach Eric Martins signs autographs for fans before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A person casts a shadow on the Oakland Athletics on-deck circle before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Oakland Athletics' Daz Cameron stands in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay looks out to the field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert throws against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh follows through on a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Mitch Spence throws against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, facing, greets Cal Raleigh (29) after scoring on Raleigh's two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert walks back to the dugout as fans cheer after being pulled from the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A fan waves an Oakland Athletics flag as Oakland Athletics' Seth Brown stands at the railing before a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh hits a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)