Jordan Love begins a high-stakes campaign against Kyler Murray’s Minnesota Vikings. Discover whether new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s defensive schemes can stifle his former quarterback in this pivotal NFC North showdown.
Well, this is it. There's no turning back now for the 2026 Green Bay Packers.
The regular season is here, and good bad, or perhaps even ugly, we're going to find out exactly who these Packers are.
There's a world in which they're a Super Bowl contender. It's going to take some time to gel, of course, but if key pieces like Micah Parsons and Josh Jacobs come back and play at their highest level, the Pack can seemingly compete with anyone.
There are also several players who seem to be on the cusp of breaking out from good to great. We're talking about quarterback Jordan Love, who flirted with being the NFL MVP at times last season, but let's not forget about guys like Christian Watson, Edgerrin Cooper and Evan Williams.
On the opposite sideline in Week 1 is a familiar foe. The Minnesota Vikings play host and they're hoping that a new quarterback in Kyler Murray can be their missing piece. They've got a head coach in Kevin O'Connell, who is known as a bit of a quarterback whisperer.
The Packers have a similarly gifted head coach in Matt LaFleur, though, so this could end up being a great Week 1 matchup.
Either way, the Pack is back, baby.
Packers vs. Vikings Week 1 Preview
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) gather after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.Location:
U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Game Time:
3:25 PM Lambeau Field Time
TV Channel:
CBS
Betting Odds:
Packers + 1.5 per DraftKings
Key Matchup: Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon vs. Vikings QB Kyler Murray
Can the Packers get any pressure on Murray? In fact, that's probably the biggest question of this early season for the Packers while Parsons is out. Can the Packers get pressure, in general?
That makes new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon very important, because he's going to have to earn his paycheck.
That's not terrible news for the Packers in Week 1, though, because there's probably not a defensive coordinator in the NFL who knows Murray better. Remember, Gannon was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals for the past three seasons, and, when healthy, Murray was his quarterback.
Key Quote: Matt LaFleur on Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed against the Vikings
“I think really what it's gonna be is gonna be more opportunity for everybody in that room—or I should say for our three main guys—and we need them out there for as many plays as humanly possible,' LaFleur said. "We know that this guy, speaking of Christian, I think all three of those guys are difference makers, but we need them out on the field for as many snaps as possible."
Prediction:
Packers 20, Vikings 13
