Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings
The Green Bay Packers travel to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Vikings in a major NFC North divisional matchup to open the 2026 NFL regular season.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings |
| Week | Week 1 — 2026 NFL Regular Season |
| Date | Sunday, September 13, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 4:25 PM ET |
| India Time | Monday, September 14 — 1:55 AM IST |
| Venue | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Home Team | Minnesota Vikings |
| Away Team | Green Bay Packers |
| TV | CBS |
| Division | NFC North |
| Status | Scheduled |
Minnesota’s official schedule confirms the game is scheduled for 3:25 PM Central Time at U.S. Bank Stadium on CBS.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers enter 2026 after finishing 9-7-1 in the 2025 regular season. Green Bay scored 391 points last season, compared with 344 for Minnesota.
The Packers now face an immediate road test against their NFC North rival.
Key Packers Players
Jordan Love — Quarterback
Jordan Love remains the centerpiece of Green Bay’s offense.
His ability to make plays outside the pocket, attack intermediate areas and distribute the ball to a deep group of receivers will be critical against Minnesota.
Love’s decision-making could become especially important if Green Bay is forced into obvious passing situations.
Josh Jacobs — Running Back
Jacobs was expected to be one of the Packers’ most important offensive weapons entering the season.
However, he is currently unavailable after being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, meaning Green Bay will have to adjust its Week 1 backfield plans.
This significantly changes the Packers’ offensive outlook for the opener.
Micah Parsons — Edge Rusher
Parsons was acquired to transform the Packers’ pass rush and defense.
However, he was placed on the reserve/PUP list and is expected to miss at least the first four games of the season.
His absence removes one of Green Bay’s biggest defensive advantages from this Week 1 matchup.
Green Bay Wide Receivers
Green Bay’s receiving group will need to create separation against Minnesota’s secondary.
With Jacobs unavailable, the passing game could receive an even larger workload.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings finished 9-8 in 2025 and open the 2026 campaign at home against Green Bay.
The biggest change is at quarterback.
Key Vikings Players
Kyler Murray — Quarterback
Minnesota signed Kyler Murray after his departure from Arizona and has named him the team’s starting quarterback.
Murray brings an entirely different skill set to Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
His mobility can create problems for Green Bay’s pass rush, particularly on third downs and broken plays.
J.J. McCarthy — Quarterback
McCarthy remains an important long-term part of Minnesota’s plans, but he is currently behind Murray and Carson Wentz on the depth chart.
The 2024 first-round pick is still developing after limited NFL experience and previous injury setbacks.
Justin Jefferson — Wide Receiver
Jefferson remains the focal point of Minnesota’s passing attack.
Green Bay will need to prevent explosive plays while avoiding excessive defensive attention that creates opportunities elsewhere.
T.J. Hockenson — Tight End
Hockenson provides Murray with a reliable middle-of-the-field target and can be particularly valuable against zone coverage.
Minnesota Defense
The Vikings will need to pressure Jordan Love while keeping Green Bay’s receivers contained.
Playing at U.S. Bank Stadium gives Minnesota an important home-field advantage.
2025 Season Comparison
| Category | Packers | Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Record | 9-7-1 | 9-8 |
| 2025 Points Scored | 391 | 344 |
| Week 1 Location | Away | Home |
| Starting QB | Jordan Love | Kyler Murray |
| Key Offensive Star | Jordan Love | Justin Jefferson |
| Major Week 1 Issue | Jacobs/Parsons unavailable | New QB transition |
Green Bay finished only one-half game ahead of Minnesota in the 2025 standings, making this a relatively evenly matched division opener despite the major roster changes on both sides.
Key Matchups
Jordan Love vs Minnesota’s Defense
Love will need to make quick decisions against Minnesota’s defensive pressure.
If the Vikings force him into long-yardage situations, their defense can become much more aggressive.
Kyler Murray vs Green Bay Defense
This is one of the most intriguing matchups.
Murray’s scrambling ability changes how Green Bay can rush the passer. The Packers cannot simply chase him upfield because that can create escape lanes.
Justin Jefferson vs Green Bay Secondary
Jefferson is arguably the biggest individual offensive threat in the game.
Green Bay’s secondary must prevent him from producing explosive gains while remaining disciplined against Minnesota’s other receiving options.
Packers Running Game vs Vikings Front
With Josh Jacobs unavailable, Green Bay’s replacement backfield will be under significant pressure.
If the Packers cannot run effectively, Minnesota may be able to focus heavily on Jordan Love.
Vikings Offensive Line vs Packers Pass Rush
Murray’s mobility helps, but Minnesota still needs to protect him.
Green Bay’s defense will look to create pressure without allowing Murray to turn broken plays into big gains.
Major Storylines
1. Kyler Murray’s Vikings Debut
The biggest Minnesota storyline is the arrival of Murray.
After leaving Arizona, Murray gets an immediate divisional test against Green Bay.
His ability to adapt to Kevin O’Connell’s offense will be one of the major Week 1 stories.
2. Green Bay Without Josh Jacobs
Jacobs’ absence changes the Packers’ offensive balance.
Green Bay may have to rely more heavily on Jordan Love and its passing game.
3. Micah Parsons Is Missing
The Packers made Parsons a major part of their defensive plans, but he will not be available for this game.
Green Bay will need other pass rushers to fill the void.
4. NFC North Rivalry
This is more than a normal Week 1 game.
Packers-Vikings is one of the NFL’s established division rivalries, and both teams have postseason aspirations.
5. U.S. Bank Stadium Advantage
Minnesota opens its season at home.
The Vikings have historically benefited from the atmosphere inside U.S. Bank Stadium, and the opening-week crowd should create an intense environment for Green Bay.
Injury & Availability Watch
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs — Unavailable
Jacobs is unable to play while on the commissioner’s exempt list.
Micah Parsons — Unavailable
Parsons is on reserve/PUP and is expected to miss at least the first four games.
Right Cornerback Competition
Green Bay is still sorting out its starting right cornerback situation, with rookie Brandon Cisse and Carrington Valentine among the candidates.
Minnesota Vikings
Kyler Murray — Expected to Start
Murray has been named Minnesota’s starting quarterback.
J.J. McCarthy — Backup/Developmental Role
McCarthy is currently behind Murray and Carson Wentz on the depth chart.
Final inactive lists and injury designations should be checked shortly before kickoff.
Betting Outlook
The early market has moved toward Minnesota.
Current Market Snapshot
| Market | Approximate Line |
|---|---|
| Spread | Vikings -1.5 |
| Packers | +1.5 |
| Total | 45.5 |
| Moneyline | Vikings slight favorite |
| Home Favorite | Minnesota |
One current market snapshot lists Minnesota around -1.5 with a total of 45.5 points, while Kalshi’s market has also slightly favored the Vikings. These lines are dynamic and can change before kickoff.
Betting Interpretation
This is considerably closer than many of the other Week 1 games.
The market is essentially treating the matchup as close to a coin flip, with Minnesota receiving a small advantage for home field.
Green Bay’s loss of Jacobs and Parsons is an important factor.
Our Prediction
Minnesota Vikings 24 — Green Bay Packers 23
Estimated Win Probability
| Team | Estimated Chance |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 53% |
| Green Bay Packers | 47% |
Why Minnesota?
The Vikings get the narrow edge because of:
- Home-field advantage
- Kyler Murray’s mobility
- Justin Jefferson
- Green Bay’s loss of Josh Jacobs
- Green Bay’s absence of Micah Parsons
- A potentially difficult environment for the Packers offense
However, this is a very close matchup.
Green Bay finished with a slightly better 2025 record and scored significantly more points, so the Packers absolutely have a realistic path to winning.
What Green Bay Must Do to Win
- Protect Jordan Love
- Replace Jacobs’ production
- Create explosive passing plays
- Contain Kyler Murray
- Limit Justin Jefferson
- Force Minnesota into third-and-long situations
- Win the turnover battle
What Minnesota Must Do to Win
- Protect Kyler Murray
- Get Justin Jefferson involved early
- Use Murray’s mobility
- Force Jordan Love into difficult throws
- Take advantage of Green Bay’s depleted defensive front
- Avoid turnovers
- Use the home crowd to create pressure on Green Bay
Players to Watch
Green Bay Packers
- Jordan Love
- Jayden Reed
- Josh Jacobs’ replacement backs
- Green Bay offensive line
- Green Bay secondary
- Packers pass rush
Minnesota Vikings
- Kyler Murray
- Justin Jefferson
- T.J. Hockenson
- Jordan Addison
- Minnesota offensive line
- Vikings defensive front
Head-to-Head History
The Packers and Vikings are longtime NFC North rivals.
They have already met numerous times in Week 1 throughout NFL history. Minnesota’s official schedule announcement notes that the teams have opened the season against each other eight previous times.
The Vikings won their most recent Week 1 meeting at U.S. Bank Stadium, defeating Green Bay 23-7 in 2022. Green Bay won the previous Minneapolis Week 1 meeting 43-34 in 2020.
The teams will meet again later in 2026, with Minnesota scheduled to visit Green Bay in Week 10.
How to Watch
United States
TV: CBS
Kickoff: 4:25 PM ET / 3:25 PM CT
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Minnesota’s official game center confirms CBS as the television network.
India
Kickoff: Approximately 1:55 AM IST on Monday, September 14
Indian viewers will see the game during the early hours of Monday because of the U.S. Sunday afternoon kickoff.
NFL International Viewing
Availability of NFL streaming services varies by country and broadcast territory.
Why Watch Packers vs Vikings?
This is one of the most compelling Week 1 divisional games because of the number of major questions surrounding both teams.
The biggest questions:
Can Kyler Murray immediately succeed in Minnesota?
Can Green Bay replace Josh Jacobs’ production?
How will the Packers defense perform without Micah Parsons?
Can Justin Jefferson exploit Green Bay’s secondary?
Can Jordan Love keep Green Bay’s offense efficient on the road?
With the teams separated by only one game in the 2025 standings, this could be an early indicator of the NFC North race.
Game Prediction Summary
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Winner | Minnesota Vikings |
| Projected Score | Vikings 24, Packers 23 |
| Vikings Win Probability | 53% |
| Packers Win Probability | 47% |
| Expected Game Type | Close / Competitive |
| Key Player | Kyler Murray |
| Potential X-Factor | Green Bay’s replacement running game |
| Betting Lean | Vikings -1.5 |
| Total Lean | Around 45.5 |