Overview
- The season opener is Sunday, Sept. 13, at U.S. Bank Stadium, and Kyler Murray has been confirmed as the Vikings’ Week 1 starting quarterback.
- The Packers will be without edge rusher Micah Parsons and running back Josh Jacobs, forcing Green Bay to compensate for lost pass rush and a depleted, unproven backfield.
- Minnesota has shifted its offense toward wide‑zone run concepts under assistant head coach Frank Smith and has added veteran pieces such as Aaron Jones to support that plan.
- Betting markets and expert models show a close game with the Vikings as narrow favorites around a 1.5‑point spread, a reflection of tight matchup assumptions and shifting lines.
- Key storylines to watch are whether Green Bay can keep Jordan Love upright against Minnesota’s pressure, how often Minnesota uses Justin Jefferson in game‑breaking roles, and whether Harrison Smith’s return alters the defensive equation.