While it’s never easy to say goodbye to summer, it’s also exciting when fall rolls around because the NFL comes with it.
The season resumes Sunday with plenty of exciting matchups, one of which will be a battle between two NFC North foes in the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.
Let’s dive into the betting odds for the game, and get into my Vikings vs Packers prediction for Week 1.
Vikings vs Packers Prediction &Week 1 Picks
Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers Odds (via BetMGM)
Minnesota Spread: +1.5 points
Green Bay Spread: -1.5 points
Over/Under: 47.0 points
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium
Time: 4:25 p.m. EST
TV: FOX
Minnesota Vikings Offense vs Green Bay Packers Defense
Despite finishing five games behind the Packers in the division last season, the Vikings only scored 25 less total points. Quarterback Kirk Cousins led the way for Minnesota with 4,221 passing yards, marking the sixth time over the last seven seasons that he threw for at least 4,000 yards. He also recorded 33 touchdown passes last year, reaching at least 30 touchdown passes for the third time in his four-year tenure with the Vikings.
The Vikings return all of their main offensive weapons from last season, including star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. They also hope to get improved health from running back Dalvin Cook, who was limited to 13 games last season due to injury. His injury contributed to him only scoring six rushing touchdowns, which came on the heels of two seasons with a combined 29 scores. The NFL Player Props Tool has Cook projected to average 80.76 rushing yards and 20.36 receiving yards per game.
As dangerous as the Vikings’ offense can be, they’ll have their hands full with the Packers’ defense. The Packers ranked in the middle-of-the-pack in terms of points allowed per game last season, but they forced the sixth-most interceptions (18).
Green Bay Packers Offense vs Minnesota Vikings Defense
The storyline of the Packers’ offseason was the trade of Davante Adams to the Raiders. Originally a second-round pick in the 2014 Draft, Adams became one of the stars of the league while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. He certainly hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, coming off of a 2021 campaign in which he had 123 receptions, 1,553 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. His 169 targets tied for the highest mark of his career.
It appears that the Packers will take a group-effort approach in replacing Adams. To go along with holdover Allen Lazard, they brought in veterans Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb, while drafting Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. Doubs made some splashes during the preseason, and could quickly work his way up the depth chart based on his talent, especially if Lazard is sidelined with an ankle injury that has prevented him from practicing this week.
While the Packers work to see who will step up at wide receiver, their talented running back duo of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillion could receive plenty of work. Not only are they excellent running backs, but they are both adept at catching passes out of the backfield. Jones has caught at least 47 passes in each of the last three seasons, while Dillion caught 34 passes last season. The NFL Player Props Tool has Jones projected to average 27.63 receiving yards and Dillon to average 12.99 receiving yards, for the season.
The Vikings allowed 29 passing touchdowns last season, which was tied for the ninth-most in the league. However, they did record 51 sacks, which was the second-most in the league. Their pass rush should be bolstered by a healthy Danielle Hunter, who only played seven games last season before suffering a pectoral injury.
Vikings vs Packers Prediction
These teams split their two meetings last season, with each of them winning at home. When the Packers lost in Minnesota, it was a high-scoring affair in which both teams scored at least 31 points. The game actually came down to a game-ending field goal that was made by Greg Joseph.
This is a tough spot for the Packers to open their season, especially with the uncertainty surrounding their wide receiver position. They were only 5-4 on the road last season, compared to having an 8-0 mark at home. Meanwhile, the Vikings were 5-3 at home, and just 3-6 on the road. Look for the underdog Vikings to cover the spread here.
Best Vikings vs. Packers Bet: Vikings +1.5 at BetMGM
