GREEN BAY, Wis. — Undrafted Adam Thielen is poised to join the NFL’s nouveau riche after padding his 2016 resume with a career-defining performance Saturday in the Vikings’ 38-25 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field. Related Articles Gale Sayers, Bears Hall of Fame running back, dies at 77

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Thielen caught 12 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, the first Minnesota wideout to combine for that feat in a game in 40 years. Sammy White did it in 1976, Paul Flatley in 1965.

Thielen would have preferred the production kept alive the Vikings’ faint playoff hopes, which Green Bay snuffed.

“Those stats and numbers don’t mean anything, especially when you lose,” he said.

Midway through the second quarter, Thielen and quarterback Sam Bradford connected on a 71-yard touchdown, cutting a 15-point deficit to 21-13 and giving Minnesota a brief boost.

Bradford rolled out to his right and found Thielen a step behind the defender. He raced untouched into the end zone — the Vikings’ longest play from scrimmage this season.

“We had it game-planned and knew we were going to get to it at some point,” Thielen said. “We thought it was a pretty good play. Our coaches did a great job, and Sam did a great job of getting me the ball. It was nice to get on the board, and at that time of the game it was good to get some momentum in our favor.”

Thielen now has 68 receptions for 960 yards, leapfrogging Stefon Diggs in production among Vikings wideouts this season despite having 16 fewer catches.

“His effort today was unbelievable,” said Bradford. “Some of those catches he had were incredible, but really it doesn’t surprise me because he’s been doing it all year for us.”

The Detroit Lakes, Minn., native was undrafted in 2013 out of Minnesota State Mankato and came out of a Vikings rookie tryout camp to earn a berth on the practice squad.

In 2014 and 2015, Thielen received spot duty at receiver, having a total of 20 receptions. He has emerged this season, however, as an impact player, catching passes wherever and however across the field.

“One of the players said to me on the sideline … ‘This guy’s just a football player.’ And that’s what he is,” said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. “He’s a guy that goes out and makes plays. When his opportunity is there, he goes out and makes catches. I think the biggest thing about Adam is that he’s a great competitor.”