(My Sportsbook) - Without All-Pro wideout Randy Moss, the Vikings' backs were already against the wall on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The question was whether or not they would show heart and fight for their NFC North lives.

Trailing 31-17 late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings could easily have thrown in the towel and lived to play another day. Instead, Daunte Culpepper refused to quit, leading the Vikes back in the final minutes.

Culpepper anchored Minnesota on two scoring drives, one culminating in a two- yard shovel pass to Onterrio Smith and the second on a 17-yard strike to Moe Williams with 1:20 remaining. It was all for naught though, as Minnesota came up short in the end.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Vikings parted like the Red Sea for Robert Ferguson, who dashed to midfield before being tracked down by the Vikings' Corey Chavous. The corner dove into the fray and knocked the ball free from Ferguson, and the ball bounced away and appeared to be recovered by Minnesota cornerback Derek Ross. However, once the pile was cleared out, Green Bay tight end Ben Steele possessed the ball.

"I most definitely had the ball," Ross said. "But if you lay on the bottom of the pile for two minutes, and you're going up against somebody bigger and stronger than you, eventually they'll rip it away from you. If you ask me personally, I don't think the referee did a good job of getting people off the pile and seeing who had the ball."

With this terrific field position, the Packers were able to move the ball 39 yards in five plays to set up the game-winning 33-yard Ryan Longwell field goal. It marked the second straight week in which the Vikings have lost on a last second field goal.

"Sometimes, you envision going into a game what will make the difference," Packers quarterback Brett Favre said. "You think it will be a great run, or a great catch, or a devastating block. You don't think it's going to be a fumble recovery.

"But that's what it was. Ben will be remembered for that around here for a while."

Minnesota's defense struggled most of the day to slow Favre and the Packers down, allowing 442 yards and 24 first downs in the loss. Favre completed 20- of-29 passes for 236 yards and four touchdowns, while Ahman Green rushed 21 times for 145 yards (6.9 ypc) and a score.

The Vikings weren't able to get their hands of Favre in the contest, registering no sacks. Safety Brian Russell and linebacker E.J. Henderson tallied team highs with eight tackles apiece in the contest.

Minnesota nearly matched Green Bay's offensive output in the game, racking up 416 yards and 22 first downs. Culpepper hit on 27-of-44 attempts for 363 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. The hulking signal caller and young wideout Nate Burleson worked brilliantly together, hooking up 11 times for 141 yards and a score.

"I love him," Culpepper said of Burleson. "He is a gamer. He expects big plays, and he is going to continue to get better because he has the will to do that."

H-back Jermaine Wiggins added six receptions for 94 yards and a score, while Williams tacked on four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Smith and Michael Bennett led a scaled back Minnesota running game with 21 yards apiece.

The Vikings, who have lost three in a row and sit in a tie for the top spot in the North at 5-4 with Green Bay, must find some way to turn the tide in the coming weeks.

"I told them exactly what would be said [about them]," Vikings coach Mike Tice said. "But I know this: ... We have a long way to go, and our schedule in the second half of the season is very favorable."

INJURY REPORT -- It is unknown if Moss (hamstring) will be available this week. Right tackle Mike Rosenthal (right foot), tight end Jim Kleinsasser (right knee) and cornerback Ken Irvin (right Achilles' tendon) already are out for the season. Vikings running back Mewelde Moore (ankle) is questionable for this week's game.

UP NEXT -- The Vikings are at home for their next two contests, including a battle against Detroit this Sunday.