The Green Bay Packers are set to open the 2020 NFL season against the division rival Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon. Following a long and difficult offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans are about to finally see live football back on television. Hopefully, the league will be able to get a full season in without too many issues.
Speaking of the Packers and the Vikings, this is a big matchup for Week 1 of the season. This game could come into play later on in the year. Both of these teams are expected to be contenders in the NFC and are considered the two best teams in the NFC North.
Last season, the Packers finished the regular season with a 13-3 record and made a run to the NFC Championship Game. On the other hand, the Vikings finished at 10-6 in the regular season and came through with a shocking road upset over the New Orleans Saints.
Obviously, the quarterback matchup between Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins is going to be watched closely. Rodgers has received a lot of criticism this offseason and the Packers went out and selected a quarterback in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Cousins is looking to prove that his name belongs among the NFL's elite, but still has quite a few doubters himself.
All of that being said, let's go ahead and dive in to take a look at four bold predictions that can be made for Week 1's Packers vs. Vikings matchup.
4. The Vikings Don't Skip A Beat Without Stefon Diggs
Over the last couple of years, the Vikings have had one of the league's most feared wide receiver duos of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Unfortunately, due to unrest between the Vikings and Diggs, Minnesota ended up trading the star wideout to the Buffalo Bills this offseason.
Despite losing an obvious star playmaker, the Vikings' offense will be just fine. They drafted Justin Jefferson in the first round and Bisi Johnson is more than capable of stepping up into a larger role as well. Minnesota will be able to throw the ball against the Packers and Thielen will be back looking like a superstar.
Dalvin Cook is going to put in work on the ground and the Vikings are going to put up points. Will that be enough to beat the Packers? We'll have to wait and find out.
3. Aaron Rodgers Is Back At MVP Form
After what many thought was a down season from Rodgers in 2019, the Packers are excited to see what their franchise quarterback gives them this season. With the extra motivation of a rookie quarterback being drafted in the first round, fans should expect to see a lot of the vintage Rodgers that Green Bay knows and loves.
Green Bay surprisingly did not address their wide receiver position much this offseason. They did sign Devin Funchess, but he chose to opt out of the season due to concerns about the coronavirus.
That leaves the Packers with Davante Adams and names like Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown. Brian Gutekunst and company are relying on their young talent to step up. Rodgers, however, will look like an MVP in Week 1 with at least 300 yards and four touchdown passes.
2. Green Bay Racks Up Seven Sacks
Za'Darius Smith took the NFL by storm last season and became a legitimate superstar after signing with the Packers in free agency. He recorded 13.5 sacks on the year, although he did only force one fumble. Preston Smith was another offseason addition for Green Bay and he ended up with 12 sacks.
Coming into this week's game, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is going to look to put pressure on Cousins. Green Bay will get the job done with seven sacks in the contest.
Whether those sacks come from the “Smith Bros.” or other sources like Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, and Christian Kirksey, the Packers are going to send pressure. If they succeed as we are predicting, it will go a long way towards the Packers coming home with a win.
1. The Packers Pull Out A Nail-Biter
Finally, this list would not be complete without a final score prediction. Rodgers and Cousins are going to put up points in bunches, but the Packers' defense will make a play or two more than the Vikings.
This game is going to come down to the wire. Both teams know how big this early-season game could end up being. It may come down to the final drive or two, but the Packers will pull out a nail-biter.
We're going to go ahead and predict that the final score for this game ends up being 35-28, with the Packers scoring a late touchdown to seal victory. These two teams are going to be going back-and-forth all season long in the NFC North standings, but the Packers will take a Week 1 lead.
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