Know Your Enemy: Week 1 – Green Bay Packers

The Minnesota Vikings start the 2026 season by hosting the Green Bay Packers at US Bank Stadium in Week 1. It gives the Vikings a chance to start the season by taking an advantage in the division much like they did last season when they beat the Chicago Bears in Week 1.

Know Your Enemy: Week 1 – Green Bay Packers

Head Coach: Matt LaFleur

Star Players: Jordan Love (QB), Josh Jacobs (RB), Micah Parsons (OLB), Edgerrin Cooper (LB), Xavier McKinney (S).

Current Record: 0-0

I have picked Green Bay to finish last in the division, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if they were playing football when January comes around. They have managed that in all but one of the seven seasons since Matt LaFleur became head coach. I don’t think this is one of the strongest Packers teams but they will still be competitive.

The Vikings and Packers have had a hard fought rival since the Vikings entered the league in 1961. There have been a total of 131 meeting between the two teams with Green Bay leading the series 67-61-3. However, it is Minnesota who has had the better of the most recent meetings, winning three of the last four.

Players to Watch

Green Bay was patient with the development of Jordan Love and have reaped the rewards. Love has become a reliable starting quarterback who has helped lead his team to the playoffs every season since becoming the starter. The question is whether he can turn the regular season success into playoff success. Since winning his first playoff game it has been three straight losses.

The Packers signed Xavier McKinney in free agency heading into the 2024 season, and it proved an inspired signing. McKinney had eight interceptions for 128 yards, 11 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery, 1 sack, and 2 tackles for loss, on his way to first team All-Pro Honours. The stat line wasn’t as impressive in Year 2 but McKinney was still excellent in the Packers’ secondary and will pose the biggest problem to the Vikings passing attack.

The Packers Have Problems Heading Into Week 1

Preparations for the opening game of the season have been far from ideal in Green Bay. The Packers traded for a defensive superstar in Micah Parsons last year but the Vikings won’t have to worry about him this week. Parsons is still on the road to recovery from a torn ACL suffered at the back end of last season. He is still a few weeks away from returning and will be a huge loss for Green Bay.

There have been injury concerns on the offensive line with Aaron Banks and Zach Bako-Bewele both missing throughout the preseason while working back from knee injuries. Both should be in the mix on Sunday but individual sharpness and the continuity of an OL working together might not be there.

Green Bay’s offense is supposed to run through their workhorse running back Josh Jacobs. That might not be happening on Sunday after Jacobs was put on the commissioner-exempt list following an incident that saw him charged after some serious allegations. His court date has been moved forward to this week, which leaves his status uncertain.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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