4:25 pm
September 11

Packers @ Vikings

Who will WIN this matchup?

Green Bay Packers (0-0)

@ Minnesota Vikings (0-0)

 

Current odds:

Green Bay Packers: (+110)

Minnesota Vikings: (-130)

 

• The spread for the game is Minnesota by 2 points.

• With no controversy surrounding his place in Green Bay, Rodgers, who turns 39 in December, is the two-time reigning NFL MVP and ranks fifth in league history in touchdown passes (449) and 10th in passing yards (55,360). He could be nearing great news on the offensive line with tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) and Elgton Jenkins (knee) game-time decisions, and tight end Robert Tonyan expected to play in his first game since tearing his ACL in October 2021. However, five-time Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams is now in Las Vegas, Allen Lazard is doubtful with a knee injury that could keep him out of this contest and rookie second-rounder Christian Watson might be the team’s best receiver before season’s end.

• Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon return after combining for 1,602 rushing yards last season along with 86 receptions, while linebackers Rashan Gary (team-high 9 1/2 sacks in 2021) and De’Vondre Campbell (146 tackles, seventh-most in NFL) anchor a defense that ranked ninth in allowing 328.2 yards per game. However, Green Bay has lost four of its last six trips to Minnesota, including a 34-31 setback in Week 11 last season.

• Entering his 11th season, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown for at least 4,000 yards in six of the last seven seasons and is the only quarterback to post seven straight campaigns with at least 25 touchdown passes. Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has averaged 1,283.7 yards over the last three seasons — despite missing multiple games in each. Justin Jefferson ranked among the league leaders with 108 receptions (fourth in NFL), 1,616 yards (second) and 10 touchdowns (tied for sixth) last season.

• Defensively, former Packers star linebacker Za’Darius Smith (44.5 sacks and 53 tackles for loss over 91 career games) has landed with the Vikings. With that talent in place, first-year Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is confident his team can challenge the Packers for the North crown — and return to the playoffs following a 7-9 record in 2020 and last year’s 8-9 mark.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Minnesota Vikings
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