On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 3:25 PM Central Time, Emanuel Wilson didn’t just step into the spotlight—he owned it. The Green Bay Packers running back, once a depth-chart afterthought, erupted for two touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, notching his first career multi-touchdown game in a 27-20 win that sent shockwaves through fantasy football leagues and Packers fans alike. It wasn’t luck. It was opportunity, amplified by injury, execution, and a defense suddenly vulnerable to the run.
From Backup to Every-Down Workhorse
Wilson’s rise wasn’t overnight. When starter Aaron Jacobs exited Week 11 early with a hamstring strain, Wilson didn’t just fill in—he absorbed the entire offense. He played 94% of the offensive snaps that week, carried the ball 21 times, and caught all six of his targets. His efficiency metrics? Barely above average: a 1.9% explosive run rate, 2.02 yards after contact per attempt, and a 4% missed tackle rate. But volume, as fantasy analyst Derek Brown of FantasyPros noted, was the story. "If Jacobs can’t go this week, Wilson would be the team’s every-down back," Brown wrote on Saturday, November 22. By Sunday morning, he updated: "Wilson will be the team’s every-down back." And that’s exactly what happened.The Matchup That Broke Open
The Minnesota Vikings defense, once a top-10 unit in 2024, had quietly unraveled since Week 7. According to NFL Advanced Metrics, they’d allowed the 13th-most rushing yards per game (132.4), the 11th-highest rushing success rate (48.7%), and the 11th-lowest stuff rate (14.3%) over that stretch. Their linebackers looked slow. Their run fits were sloppy. Wilson didn’t need to be a breakaway threat—he just needed to hit the hole and stay upright. And he did. His first touchdown came early in the second quarter: a 7-yard power run off right guard, where he lowered his shoulder through two defenders and stretched the ball across the goal line. The second, a 12-yard screen pass turned into a sprint down the sideline, came with 6:18 left in the fourth, sealing the game. The Green Bay Packers’ official video archive, titled "TOUCHDOWN Emanuel Wilson | Packers vs. Vikings," confirmed it: his first two-TD game in 21 career NFL carries.Behind the Scenes: Coaches and Strategy
Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, who took over the Packers’ offense in February 2024, had spent weeks trying to balance Jacobs’ explosive potential with Wilson’s reliability. But after Jacobs’ injury, Stenavich didn’t just lean on Wilson—he redesigned the offense around him. Play-action became more frequent. Zone runs shifted to the right side, where Wilson’s vision and patience shined. The Vikings, under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, adjusted too late. Their safeties bit on play-action too often. The result? Wilson averaged 5.1 yards per carry and caught five passes for 38 yards.
Fantasy Football Fallout
For fantasy managers, Wilson went from a bench warmer to a starter in 12-team leagues overnight. Brown labeled him a "volume-driven RB2" before the game. After? He called him "a must-start in all formats." Wilson’s 24 fantasy points (18 rushing, 6 receiving) weren’t just a career high—they were the highest by any Packers running back since AJ Dillon’s 28-point game in Week 10. With Jacobs’ status uncertain for Week 13, Wilson’s role isn’t just secure—it’s expanded. The Packers’ next game? A home matchup against the Detroit Lions, who’ve given up the 8th-most fantasy points to running backs since Week 7.What’s Next? The Rematch and Beyond
The Packers and Vikings will meet again on December 21, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. That game could be a playoff decider—both teams are jockeying for NFC North supremacy. If Wilson keeps this pace, he could be the most valuable fantasy asset in the division by January. And if Jacobs returns? The Packers might just have a dangerous 1-2 punch. But for now, Wilson isn’t sharing the spotlight.
The Bigger Picture
This wasn’t just a breakout game. It was a turning point in a season that’s seen the Packers shift from a pass-heavy, Rodgers-era identity to a more balanced, physical approach under head coach Matt LaFleur. Wilson’s emergence adds a new dimension—one that could carry them deep into January. The Green Bay Packers, founded in 1919 and winners of 13 league titles, are no longer just about the quarterback. Sometimes, it’s the guy who wasn’t supposed to be there.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Emanuel Wilson’s performance impact fantasy football rankings?
Wilson jumped from being a fringe RB3 to a top-15 running back in standard fantasy leagues after his two-touchdown game. His 24 fantasy points were the highest of his career and the most by a Packers RB since AJ Dillon’s 28-point game in Week 10. FantasyPros upgraded him from "volume-dependent RB2" to "must-start in all formats," and he’s now the 12th-ranked RB for Week 13 projections.
Why did the Vikings’ defense struggle against Wilson?
Since Week 7, Minnesota had allowed the 13th-most rushing yards per game (132.4) and the 11th-highest rushing success rate (48.7%). Their linebackers were slow to diagnose run plays, and their defensive line struggled to maintain gap integrity. Wilson’s patience and ability to find seams exploited those weaknesses, especially on zone runs and screens.
Is Aaron Jacobs likely to return for Week 13?
The Packers have not officially ruled Jacobs out, but his hamstring injury requires at least two weeks of rest. With Wilson now the clear lead back and performing at a high level, the team is unlikely to rush Jacobs back unless they’re in a must-win situation. Wilson is expected to remain the primary back through Week 14.
What does this mean for the Packers’ offensive identity?
Wilson’s emergence signals a shift away from the Packers’ pass-heavy past. With a strong offensive line and a reliable running game, they’re becoming more balanced—something they haven’t had since 2021. If Wilson continues to produce, the offense could become more unpredictable, opening up more play-action opportunities for quarterback Jordan Love.
How does this compare to other breakout RB performances in recent NFL history?
Wilson’s rise mirrors Joe Mixon’s 2021 breakout after Joe Burrow’s injury, and similar to Rashaad Penny’s 2022 surge in Seattle. All were volume-driven backs who capitalized on injuries and favorable matchups. Wilson’s 21 carries and 5 receptions against Minnesota are the most by a Packers RB since Aaron Jones in Week 15 of 2021, making this one of the most significant RB breakthroughs in franchise history.
What’s the significance of the Packers-Vikings rivalry in this context?
The Packers and Vikings have played 126 times since 1961, with Green Bay holding a 67-55-4 edge. This Week 12 win was their first in Minnesota since 2021, and Wilson’s performance marks the first time a Packers RB scored two TDs against Minnesota since Eddie Lacy in 2014. The December rematch could determine the NFC North winner—and Wilson will be the focal point.