Packers Ranked 17th-Best NFL Team After Losing to Vikings in Week 1

It appeared the Green Bay Packers would begin the 2026 season 1-0. They were up 22-10 against a Minnesota Vikings team playing backup QB Carson Wentz after starter Kyler Murray left the game due to a concussion.

However, the Packers were outscored 22-0 in the fourth quarter by the Vikings and gave up 29 unanswered points.

Minnesota won by a final score of 39-22. Green Bay was the only NFC North team to lose in Week 1. 

Bleacher Report ranked the Packers the 17th-best NFL team after losing to the Vikings in Week 1. Green Bay was ranked No. 16 heading into Week 1. 

"Green Bay simply can't be a factor in the NFC North if it has many similar performances," BR wrote. 

The Packers haven't won a game since December 7, 2025. They face the New York Jets in Week 2 in what is a must-win game for Matt LaFleur and Co. 

"It's get back to work," LaFleur said. "It's (time) to be critical of the tape. … We've got to rebound. We've got to pick up the pieces."

Packers QB Jordan Love went 21/42 for 287 passing yards and two passing touchdowns in Week 1. He threw one interception and was sacked four times.

The Vikings had a pass rush win rate of 90.6% against the Packers, the highest by any team in a game since 2022, according to ESPN Analytics/NFL Next Gen Stats.

"We were playing well, but in the fourth quarter, it took a turn with a couple unfortunate plays," Love said. "We weren't able to overcome some of those."

Love is now 27-21-1 as the Packers' starting QB. Green Bay is 1-3 in the playoffs since Love took over for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.

Both Rodgers and Brett Favre won a Super Bowl with the Packers, so Love is under pressure to follow in their footsteps, especially after getting a four-year, $220 million extension in 2024.

Love finished last season with 3,381 passing yards and 23 passing touchdowns while completing 66.3% of his passes. The Packers went 9-7-1 and lost to the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs.