Packer Defense Keys Win Over Vikings : NFC: Shawn Patterson returns interception for the decisive touchdown in Green Bay’s 24-10 victory. Minnesota loses for the fifth consecutive time.

The Green Bay Packers had a day of firsts Sunday against the lowly Minnesota Vikings.

Packer defensive end Shawn Patterson led the way with his first career interception, which he returned nine yards for his first NFL touchdown in the Packers’ 24-10 victory over the Vikings, who lost their fifth consecutive game.

Patterson’s play turned the game when he batted a pass from Viking quarterback Rich Gannon into the air, caught it and lumbered into the end zone with 44 seconds left in the third quarter to give the Packers (3-4) a 17-3 lead.

“The ball was thrown real hard,” said the 261-pound Patterson, who has been limited to two games this season by hamstring injuries. “And it was thrown so low it almost stuck between my arm and my helmet. I bobbled it a couple of times and then I caught it. I was really surprised the ball was there.”

The Vikings (1-6), the defending NFC Central champions, moved closer to losing any chance of making the playoffs.

“No one thought we would be in this position after this many games,” Viking Coach Jerry Burns said. “It’s tough to put a finger on it, any one or two specific problems. Obviously, we have definite trouble on both sides of the football.”

Rookie Darrell Thompson put the Packers ahead with his first NFL touchdown run, a 12-yarder in the second quarter, and rookie LeRoy Butler made his first two career interceptions in the fourth quarter when he picked off passes thrown by Gannon.

The Packers intercepted five passes in the game.

“Our young guys are stepping forward to help us and it paid off,” Packer Coach Lindy Infante said. “Any time you get that many turnovers you have a great chance to win,”

Thompson’s touchdown run with 4:23 left in the second quarter gave the Packers a 10-3 halftime lead and Patterson’s interception in the third quarter all but erased the chances of a Viking comeback.

The Packers intercepted Gannon passes on the Vikings’ first three possessions of the fourth quarter and increased their lead on a six-yard touchdown run by Don Majkowski with a minute left.

Minnesota scored with 38 seconds left on a 49-yard touchdown pass play from Gannon to Anthony Carter.