Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson could have made this bigger than what it really was in his head. We've all been there, right?

This was a huge moment for him and a huge moment for the Packers. Facing an NFC North opponent for just the second time this season, the Pack welcomed in the Minnesota Vikings to Lambeau Field in Week 12. 

Wilson was getting the start in replacement of an injured Josh Jacobs, who has been a stalwart for the Packers' offense in 2025. Wilson has become a strong RB2 for the Packers since they picked him up as an undrafted free agent out for Fort Valley State in 2023, but he's never gotten a start in the NFL.

This was his first one, and the pressure was on because the Packers absolutely needed to beat the Vikings to kick off this three-game stretch against NFC North opponents.

Again, he could have freaked out. He could have made it a big deal and played tight as a result.

A true professional, though, Wilson simply took care of business.

“I just kept it the same,” Wilson said after the game, according to ESPN. "I approached it today just like it’s another game. This is my first start since college, so I just tried to go out there and take advantage of it.”

To say that Wilson took advantage of the opportunity would actually be an understatement. Head coach Matt LaFleur clearly went into this game with ball and clock control as a focus, and he fed Wilson the rock as a result.

Wilson rushed 28 times and he turned those 28 opportunities into a career-high 107 yards and two touchdowns. He also added two catches for 18 yards just for the heck of it.

That's 125 total yards.

He got downhill, hit the hole hard and picked up a ton of yards-after-contact. In fact, most of his yards came after contact.

Coming into this game against the Vikings, Wilson had rushed 53 times for 220 yards and one touchdown, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Last season in 17 games, he carried the ball 103 times for 502 yards and four touchdowns. 

He set the tone for Green Bay and never let up. The Packers will absolutely go back to Jacobs once the All-Pro is healthy (and that could be as soon as Thursday against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving), but Wilson played so well in this game that Lafleur and his staff will have no choice but to get him some more touches as this season goes on.