Graham factor: This was the type of game the Packers had in mind when they signed Jimmy Graham back in March.

The five-time Pro Bowl tight end led the Packers with 95 yards on six catches, including a 34-yard connection at the start of the third quarter. He also pulled down a 27-yard catch and got out of bounds with seven seconds remaining to give Green Bay a chance at a game-winning 52-yard field goal.

"Jimmy has been successful in this league for a long time," Allison said. "He's been getting going. He's done some things well in practice and he's Jimmy Graham. He's going to get open. He's going to make plays."

Hot in here: With a game-time temperature of 80 degrees, the Packers and Vikings had to battle the elements during Sunday's three-hour, 37-minute contest.

The Packers only had one player drop out due to cramping (Alexander), but he returned to the game within a few plays. The rookie cornerback admitted it felt like training-camp conditions, but he believed his cramping had more to do with coming back on the field after his interception of Cousins.

"It felt like camp almost. It's one of the hottest games we've been in," Alexander said. "We just had to hydrate."

Unexpected surprise: Lucas Patrick knew he had to be ready for a possible pooch punt when special teams coordinator Ron Zook added the second-year offensive lineman as a blocker on the kickoff-return team.

Sure enough, the Vikings kicked one to him midway through the fourth quarter. Patrick's 8-yard effort was the only kickoff the Packers returned Sunday.

"Doing the special-teams ball drills at the end of practice paid off," Patrick said. "Getting my job done on that, I'm happy with that. But it would have been nicer if it'd been an 80-yard return."

Big leg: Rookie punter JK Scott displayed the leg strength that made him the Packers' fifth-round pick this spring, averaging 51.8 yards (45.2 net) on five punts.

His best effort was a 63-yard punt in the second quarter, moving the ball from the Packers' 19-yard line to the Vikings' 18 after a fair catch.