Packers have far and away the NFL's toughest remaining schedule 4 Green Bay running back Emanuel Wilson (23) against the Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-6.Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Packers breakout star powers blowout win over the Vikings

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Nov 24, 2025 4:19 PM ET

Even without running back Josh Jacobs, the Packers‘ offense grounded and pounded the Minnesota Vikings into submission, in a 23-6 blowout victory.

Sunday’s win helped the Packers keep pace with the Chicago Bears for the NFC North division crown, setting the stage for a colossal showdown against the Lions, in Detroit, on Thanksgiving. But, even with quarterback Jordan Love and Green Bay’s passing offense struggling to find its footing against Brian Flores and the Vikings’ defense, the ground game was still firing on all cylinders.

Emanuel Wilson breaks out for the Packers

Making his first start, Emmanuel Wilson had the kind of performance that gives Green Bay confidence it can win, and win big, even without one of its most prolific and explosive offensive weapons on the field.

Wilson logged a game-high 28 carries for 108 yards and two scores, while adding 18 more receiving yards, in one of the most impressive debuts by a Packers running back in franchise history.

“Starting in place of injured Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs,” Zach Kruse writes for PackersWire . “Wilson put on his best Samkon Gado impression — rushing for 107 yards and a pair of scores in his first NFL start. According to Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com , Wilson became the first player to rush for at least 100 yards and score two rushing touchdowns in his first start since Gado in 2005. Wilson carried the ball 28 times to power the Packers’ run-heavy attack against Brian Flores’ Vikings defense.”

Packers RB Emanuel Wilson admits to having Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

As the Packers begin a closing stretch that is the most difficult remaining schedule in the NFL, Wilson proving he can be so effective carrying a significant workload will only benefit Green Bay whether Jacobs returns or not, because Wilson looks prepared to be either a lead back or at the very least a complementary weapon capable of elevating the entire offense.

Green Bay just might need him to.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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