The Vikings Couldn’t Ask for a Bigger Opener

The Minnesota Vikings are always going to draw a crowd for their first game of the season. It represents new hope for the most popular team in the state, and Kevin O’Connell is trying to lead his team to their first Super Bowl.

This season, though, the stakes are raised. Kyler Murray was brought in on a contract that has Minnesota paying him relatively peanuts. Barring something unforeseen, he’s going to be under center for Week 1. That game will also be played at home, and it will feature a matchup against the Vikings’ most hated opponent. The Green Bay Packers are coming to town.

Murray Faces Enormous Spotlight in Debut Opener

Last season, the Vikings and Packers finished with the same number of wins. The only thing that kept Green Bay out of the playoffs rather than Minnesota was a tie against the Dallas Cowboys. The rivals split their contests as Minnesota won the Week 18 matchup 16-3, with Green Bay resting their starters and packing it in despite the premium matchup.

This time around, neither side will be looking to take it easy on one another. Jordan Love is fully entrenched as the Packers quarterback, and Matt LaFleur will be looking for him to take another step. Given the departure of Malik Willis in free agency, there is no safety blanket behind the Packers’ top dog.

Minnesota has tried to figure out the quarterback position for some time. They believed they had found a young prospect in J.J. McCarthy, but he’s been both injured and mediocre. With Murray getting a fresh start and the most loaded offensive cast he’s ever had, this could be his time to thrive.

Just 28 years old, Murray is still looking for his next payday. That can certainly come from the Vikings if he performs to expectations this season. There is no better place to start than with a top rival to open the season. It’s a landing spot that could immediately pour gasoline on the fire that is hope for the year, and Murray conducting the train won’t have any momentum-halting movement if he leans into the raucous early crowd.

We’re still months away from September, but fans will be licking their chops over the opportunity to believe again. The hope that springs eternal is what drives such agony for Minnesota fans, but there’s no reason not to lean into the opportunity to be hurt again.

Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler