Sunday, September 13th
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings, 4:25 PM ET
This is a fun game to pick, as the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are both coming off nine-win seasons from a year ago. The Packers are returning many of the same players from a year ago but no longer have Romeo Doubs at wide receiver and could be without running back Josh Jacobs for quite some time this year.
Green Bay was off to a wicked-hot start last year, but injuries began to pile up, as guys like Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft suffered season-ending ailments. As 2026 approaches, it really does not seem like the Packers are quite good enough to make a run this year.
But they’re far from a bad team and should again be able to finish with a winning record. Something interesting is that QB Jordan Love has finished with exactly nine wins in all three years of his starting career, so perhaps that is what we should expect in 2026.
As for the Vikings, they went through some QB drama this offseason and are again going to feature a new starting QB, as JJ McCarthy didn’t take the jump that they had hoped, and Kyler Murray was simply doing what he has been able to do for much of his career.
While Murray might be closer to an average QB than a great one, he’s been productive and should be able to throw 25-ish touchdown passes and has another four or five on the ground this year. With competent QB play, the Vikings could be a Wild Card team.
But given the major QB change, I am not sure Week 1 is going to be in favor of the Vikings, as it could take some time for the new-look Vikings’ offense to really get going. While Minnesota could absolutely win this one, I am going to side with the more trustworthy Packers.
If both teams end up finishing, let’s say, 10-7 this year, I’d not be surprised…
Prediction: Green Bay wins 23-20
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