Who doesn't love a juicy NFC North matchup in Week 1? When the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers do battle on Sunday, it will be with several new faces and several other faces unable to suit up for this key intra-division bout.
The Packers could struggle without top contributors Josh Jacobs and Micah Parsons on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, respectively. Meanwhile, Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray looks to reinvent himself in Minneapolis. The storylines are ripe. But which are real, and which are a smokescreen?
The Packers downsized their receiver room for 2026, which might not necessarily be a bad thing now that quarterback Jordan Love can focus on building chemistry with a leaner group. Still, it remains to be seen whether
that loss of depth will show up over the long haul of the campaign.
The Vikings, meanwhile, will try to take advantage of those new dynamics and Green Bay's key inactives to notch an important early-season win over a rival. In order to do that, however, Murray will have to realize the potential he never quite attained as a former No. 1 overall pick with the Arizona Cardinals. Minnesota will hope for the best on offense and lean on its stout linebacker group to keep it close.
Vikings vs Packers odds, moneyline, over/under
Opening lines:
- Spread: Vikings -1.5
- Moneyline: Vikings -124; Packers +105
- Total: 46.5
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Packers at Vikings score predictions
Adam Kaufman: Vikings 21, Packers 17
This isn't so much a belief in the Vikings as a fade of the Packers. Green Bay's talent and balance are undeniable, but a vital piece on each side of the ball is missing. Without Josh Jacobs, are we sure Jordan Love will be able to establish the run to complement all those passing options, never mind survive a blitzing Brian Flores defense? Without Micah Parsons, who consistently generates pressure on Kyler Murray? When Parsons tore his ACL late last season, the defense imploded, failing to win another game. One man really can make a difference. For the Vikings, Murray is hoping to be that man for the offense, replacing disappointing draft pick J.J. McCarthy. After an uneven 2025 with Arizona, Murray's out to prove Minnesota made the right move under center and that the veteran can help return Justin Jefferson to his usual superstar production. For two teams trying to climb the NFC North hierarchy, it's an important divisional duel to open the season.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Packers 23, Vikings 20
Kyler Murray against Jonathan Gannon makes for some fun Week 1 fodder. While Minnesota might not ignite its full arsenal of explosive plays right away, it can still find ways to take advantage of a Green Bay defense that no doubt will be sorely missing Micah Parsons, whose late-season absence coincided with a collapse of the pass rush. The Packers also face plenty of uncertainty on offense without Josh Jacobs, whom Matt LaFleur has counted on to provide balance to the volatile passing game. But Jordan Love might be able to provide just enough of a spark to eke out the win.
Nate Davis: Vikings 23, Packers 20
Whom to choose – the team missing, arguably, its two best players, or the one breaking in yet another new quarterback? So many choices. Let's take the Vikes and their home-field advantage, even though the oddsmakers don't seem to be putting much stock in it. But Minnesota should have a pretty good idea of what to expect from an offense that will likely be heavily reliant on QB Jordan Love, whereas the Pack will be adjusting to whatever Kevin O'Connell unveils with his new, Kyler Murray-geared attack.
Richard Morin: Packers 20, Vikings 14
If Kyler Murray revives his career in Minneapolis, perhaps my historical baseball franchise in OOTP will also successfully rebuild itself into a World Series contender. In any case, I'm not predicting either to happen anytime soon and certainly not this week. The Packers may be without defensive star Micah Parsons but they still possess plenty of firepower on both sides of the ball to notch a key Week 1 victor over an NFC North rival.
Where to watch Packers at Vikings
- Matchup: Vikings vs. Packers
- Date: Sept. 13
- Time: 4:25 p.m.
- Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- TV: CBS
NFL Week 1 Sunday picks and predictions
- Buccaneers at Bengals
- Saints at Lions
- Jets at Titans
- Ravens at Colts
- Falcons at Steelers
- Bears at Panthers
- Browns at Jaguars
- Bills at Texans
- Dolphins at Raiders
- Packers at Vikings
- Commanders at Eagles
- Cardinals at Chargers
- Cowboys at Giants
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Packers at Vikings: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 1 game
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