MINNEAPOLIS — Facing third down and 2 with a chance to close out the game, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a big decision to make. McCarthy gave Rodgers the option to throw or hand off to running back Eddie Lacy, expecting the All-Pro quarterback to air it out.

Rodgers chose to hand off to Lacy, and the decision paid off, as the Packers closed out a 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium to climb into first place in the NFC North.

After starting the season 1-2, Green Bay won its third consecutive game and for the seventh time in their last eight games. Combined with Detroit’s loss Sunday in New England, the Packers (8-3) claimed sole possession of first place in the division.

“Normally, in those situations, Aaron and I will talk about two plays and that was the play he preferred,” McCarthy said. “I just kind of chuckled because it’s usually the other way around. It was the right call in that situation.”

Trailing 24-13 following a 15-yard touchdown reception by Lacy, Minnesota drove 79 yards in 14 plays, capped by a five-yard scoring pass from Teddy Bridgewater to receiver Greg Jennings. The two-point pass from Bridgewater to Charles Johnson was good, making it only a field goal game.

But instead of attempting an onside kick from midfield following a roughing the passer call on the two-point try, the Vikings kicked deep, giving Green Bay the ball at the 20. The Packers fed Lacy the ball five straight times, picking up one first down at the two-minute warning and then another on a 10-yard run after the Vikings called their final timeout.

Lacy finished with 25 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns despite playing through what was later described as an illness.

“It’s going to take a lot to keep him out of a game,” said Packers right guard T.J. Lang, who played through an injury of his own sustained in the first half.

“He’s a tough son of a (expletive),” added left guard Josh Sitton.

In four career games against Minnesota, Lacy now has 434 yards to go with six touchdowns.

What the Packers said:

“It was a very good division win. One of our focuses all week was the importance of getting that fourth division win and what it means to your season. We needed this game. You have to win close games this time of year.” — Packers coach Mike McCarthy

What the Vikings said:

“Proud of the way the guys fought today. We fell short, we didn’t make enough plays to win this game but the effort was there. We just have to continue to get better each week, be a consistent football team.” –Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater

What we learned about the Packers:

1. The Packers can win all kinds of different ways. Green Bay has been exploiting teams all season with a lethal passing attack featuring quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. On Sunday, the Vikings did their best to take away those receivers. Enter running back Eddie Lacy, who overcame an illness to rush 25 times for 125 yards and a touchdown. He also scored on a 15-yard shovel pass from Rodgers in the fourth quarter. “It’s important for us to learn how to win these kinds of games,” Rodgers said. “It’s great to score 50 points and blow teams out, but these are character wins right here.”

2. Green Bay’s defense is as good as its been in years. Safety Micah Hyde’s second-quarter interception kept alive a remarkable streak so far: The Packers now have forced at least one turnover in every game this season. “That’s the biggest stat we care about; turnovers,” said Packers linebacker Julius Peppers. “If we continue to do those things, I think we’ll be pretty good.” Green Bay’s front also sacked Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater twice, pressured him six times and hit him six others.

–RB Eddie Lacy rushed 25 times for 125 yards and a touchdown Sunday. He also caught a 10-yard passing touchdown. In four career games against Minnesota, Lacy now has 434 yards to go with six touchdowns.

–S Micah Hyde had an interception in the second quarter. Green Bay now has forced at least one turnover in every game this season. For Hyde, the pick was the first of his NFL career.

–WR Jordy Nelson led Green Bay with eight catches for 68 yards but did not score a touchdown Sunday, snapping a two-game streak with at least one score. It was only the second time in the past eight games Nelson has not scored.

–WR Randall Cobb had five catches for 58 yards. He did not score for the second consecutive game. Prior to that, Cobb had gone scoreless in only one other game this season. He leads NFL wide receivers with 10 touchdowns this season.

What we learned about the Vikings:

1. Minnesota needs better consistency from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The rookie from the University of Louisville shows glimpses of the type of player he can be, but hasn’t been able to show he can do it over the course of an entire game. Bridgewater went 8 for 10 for 69 yards and a touchdown on Minnesota’s final offensive drive of the game, also pulling the Vikings within a field goal on a two-point conversion pass. But he was only 13 of 27 for 141 yards with a touchdown and a pick in the more than three quarters prior. “There were a ton of plays left on the field,” Bridgewater said. “When you’re playing a team as good as the Green Bay Packers, you want to make sure you’re making all those plays.”

2. The Vikings might have something in receiver Charles Johnson. A seventh round pick of the Packers in 2013, Johnson is with his third team in two years after spending last season with Cleveland. Slowly but surely, Johnson has seen his playing time increase in Minnesota. Sunday, he caught three passes for a team-high 52 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown where he beat Green Bay cornerback Tramon Williams. Johnson was targeted 11 times. “I just go in there whenever I can and try to make a play,” Johnson said. “I know what type of player I can be, I know what type of player I am. It’s all about opportunity.” Johnson had six catches for 87 yards last week against Chicago and has established himself as a Bridgewater favorite.

–QB Teddy Bridgewater was 21 of 37 passing for 210 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. Bridgewater has now thrown a touchdown pass in five consecutive games.

–WR Charles Johnson led the team with three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. The 11 targets were the most this season and established a new career high.

–RB Jerick McKinnon rushed 15 times for 54 yards Sunday. He has not topped 54 yards in any of the past three games. His long run of 10 yards was the shortest in the past five games.

–TE Kyle Rudolph caught three passes for 50 yards Sunday, his first receptions since Week 3. Rudolph, who missed six games after having hernia surgery, has 13 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown.