MINNEAPOLIS -- Maybe Jordy Nelson isn't the cure-all for the Green Bay Packers' offense.
Sure, Nelson has two touchdowns in as many games this season after missing all of 2015. Even with their Pro Bowl receiver back -- and producing in spots -- Aaron Rodgers still can't seem to get rolling.
A week after communications breakdowns bogged down the offense in the season-opening win at Jacksonville, the Packers looked like they reverted to 2015 form -- when receivers couldn't get separation and Rodgers looked skittish in the pocket.
Three quarters into Sunday night's 17-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers' only points came on Nelson's 1-yard touchdown less than 10 minutes into the game.
When the Packers finally got on the board again, Rodgers had to run it in himself. His 10-yard touchdown was his second rushing score of the season, which doubled his individual output from last year.
For most of the night, defensive pass interference was the Packers' best offensive play. The Packers' only two scoring drives were both aided by Vikings penalties -- the first by a 40-yard pass interference penalty on Terence Newman and the second on a 28-yard P.I. call on Trae Waynes.
On a night when the defense -- led in large part by Mike Daniels and Letroy Guion (before he left with a knee injury) -- held Adrian Peterson to just 19 yards on 12 carries before a third-quarter knee injury also knocked the running back out, it was far too much of a struggle for Rodgers & Co.
Run the ball more, you say?
Well, Eddie Lacy couldn't get into the end zone on first-and-goal from the 1 in the first quarter, and James Starks couldn't convert a questionable fourth-and-2 call by coach Mike McCarthy in the third quarter.
Get tight end Jared Cook more touches, you say?
He ran backward after he had crossed the line to gain a first down then got tackled, forcing a punt on the opening drive of the second half.
And Rodgers, who has had some magical moments, hasn't been MVP-like since early last season. This was his 14th straight game, including the playoffs, with a passer rating under 100. His fourth-quarter interception -- just his second in a road game against the Vikings and first since 2009 -- that wrapped up the game for the Vikings left him with a rating of 70.7. This from the guy who came into the season as the NFL's career passer rating leader (104.1).
Only minutes earlier, Rodgers lost a fumble after he was sacked by Vikings defensive end Brian Robison.
With another division game looming Sunday against the Detroit Lions, the Packers haven't gotten much closer to fixing their offense.