Vikings take NFC North, hold on to beat Packers 20-13

Minnesota Vikings' Adam Thielen runs past Green Bay Packers' Kennard Backman (86) on a fake punt during the first half an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis.
Minnesota Vikings' Adam Thielen runs past Green Bay Packers' Kennard Backman (86) on a fake punt during the first half an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis.

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Minnesota Vikings won the NFC North by holding on for a 20-13 win Sunday night over the Green Bay Packers.

Adrian Peterson ran for a touchdown, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn returned a fumble 55 yards for a score, and Minnesota (11-5), which claimed its first division title since 2009.

The Vikings will host the Seattle Seahawks for a wild-card playoff game next weekend. The Packers (10-6) will travel to Washington after watching their four-year reign atop the NFC North end.

The upstart Vikings survived despite a shaky finish in hostile territory. The defense knocked away a desperation pass in the end zone from Aaron Rodgers on fourth down as time expired.

Packers kicker Mason Crosby forced a fumble on Cordarrelle Patterson's potentially field-flipping 70-yard kickoff return with 5:21 left. But the Packers' next drive ended with Rodgers being intercepted in the end zone by Xavier Rhodes.

Upcoming Events