MINNEAPOLIS — Up by 16 points with 3:32 to go, Viking Head Coach Kevin O'Connell called a timeout?

He did so to create a moment for the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd to offer Harrison Smith a standing ovation.

Smith completed his 207^th regular-season game, made his 203^rd start and helped Minnesota topple a division rival in his 26^th career Border Battle, in which the Vikings are 13-12-1 with Smith in action.

Smith has not said for sure if this season will be his final campaign or if he will rally for a 15^th season, but just in case, O'Connell and the game presentation team made sure to present flowers.

The Vikings defense carried its strong close to the 2025 season into the New Year, leading the way in a 16-3 win over the Packers Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Green Bay didn't cross midfield until the third quarter and didn't score until the game's final snap, netting a 24-yard field goal to avoid a shutout.

The game's outcome didn't impact postseason status for either team. Already eliminated, Minnesota managed to close the season on a five-game win streak and finish 9-8, which seemed somewhat farfetched after a four-game losing streak in November.

Guaranteed the No. 7 seed in the NFC Playoffs, Green Bay (9-7-1) opted to rest multiple starters, including QB Jordan Love and running back Josh Jacobs.

That meant Clayton Tune made his second career start and had a day not dissimilar from other QBs with limited experience going against Minnesota's defense under Brian Flores.

Tune finished 6-of-11 passing for 34 yards and a passer rating of 60.4. He was sacked four times for minus-41 yards, meaning Green Bay's passing total for the day was minus-7.

Dallas Turner hit the daily double with a pair of sacks, including his fourth strip sack of the season, matching a total posted by Jared Allen in 2011 and tying Arizona's Josh Sweat for the most league wide.

1. Momentous day for C.J.

"The Hitman" wasn't the only one receiving a tribute from the home crowd.

"The Hammer" C.J. Ham, the Duluth native who first joined his homestate team as an undrafted rookie in 2016, played in his 141^st career game.

He moved into third all-time in games played by a Vikings offensive player who was undrafted.

Mick Tingelhoff set the high mark of 240, and Adam Thielen totaled 146 earlier this season. Ham broke a tie with Leo Lewis and provided the game's only touchdown, a 1-yard run with 23 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

It was the lone carry of the game for Ham, resulting in his sixth career rushing TD and second of the season. It also means he scored a TD on his first (at Pittsburgh in 2017) and final career carries.

2. McCarthy makes 10^th start, shows promise

J.J. McCarthy returned to the lineup for the first time since suffering a hand injury in Week 16. He opened the game sharply, completing his first six pass attempts for 61 yards.

McCarthy fed the ball early and often to Justin Jefferson, helping the receiver cross the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth time in as many seasons. Jefferson tied Randy Moss (1998-2003) for the second-longest such streak to start an NFL career. Mike Evans holds the record with 11 such seasons from 2014-24.

McCarthy finished the day 14-of-23 passing for 182 yards with a rating of 85.8. He showed promise in using his legs to avoid pressure and extend plays. The 2024 No. 10 overall pick left the game in the third quarter, heavily favoring his right throwing hand after a pass to Jefferson.

Max Brosmer relieved McCarthy and finished 7-of-8 passing for 57 yards and a passer rating of 96.4.

3. Jefferson & Mason roll

Jefferson finished his game with spirit, fighting for every inch on a catch that gave him 101 yards on the day. He caught eight passes to record his first 100-yard game since Week 5 at Cleveland.

Jordan Mason stepped up for injured RB Aaron Jones, Sr., and rumbled 14 times for 94 yards, springing free for a long of 24.

4. Specialists shine again

What a year for Will Reichard, who booted all three of his field goals and an extra point.

Reichard finished the season 33-for-35 on field goals (94.3 percent) with a franchise record 11 from more than 50 yards.

Reichard also has yet to miss an extra point. He is now 69-for-69 through his first two seasons.

Punter Ryan Wright had another strong game. Wright averaged and netted 49.0 yards on four punt attempts. He had a long of 55 and placed two inside the 20-yard line.