Vikings vs Packers Prediction & Betting Tips for NFL Week 1 on 9/13/2026

The 2026 NFL regular season kicks off with an NFC North battle as the Green Bay Packers travel to face the Minnesota Vikings. This Week 1 game is set for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Fans can catch the action live on CBS at 4:25 PM.

Green Bay enters the regular season under the guidance of head coach Matt LaFleur, with Adam Stenavich as the offensive coordinator and Jonathan Gannon leading the defense. The Packers had a strong preseason, notably with victories against the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals. Their offensive unit has shown potential, especially with players like Kyle McCord and Kisean Johnson stepping up in key moments.

Minnesota, led by head coach Kevin O'Connell, looks to start the season strong despite a challenging preseason. The Vikings showcased resilience in their victory against the New York Giants, but faced setbacks against the Broncos and Ravens. Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips and Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores will aim to tighten up their game plan for this divisional encounter.

According to the consensus odds, the Vikings are slightly favored with a moneyline of -121, while the Packers sit at +101. The spread is narrow, with Minnesota at -1.5 and Green Bay at +1.5. The game's total points over/under is set at 46.0, suggesting a competitive contest is anticipated in this dome setting.

Vikings vs Packers At a Glance (Week 1)

• This is the 2026 Regular Season Week 1 game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings.
• The game will be played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN, which is a dome stadium.
• Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 4:25 PM and will be broadcast on CBS/P.
• The Packers have a moneyline of +101, while the Vikings are at -121 according to consensus odds.
• The point spread is set at +1.5 for the Packers and -1.5 for the Vikings.
• The total points over/under for the game is 46.0.

The Vikings' Voyage: Minnesota's Home Opener Against Green Bay Packers

Offensive Performance Overview

The Minnesota Vikings' offense ranked 25th in total scoring last season, with an average of 20.2 points per game. Despite challenges, they managed to accumulate 4675 offensive yards, placing them 28th in the league. Their passing game, however, struggled significantly, ranking 29th with 166.7 yards per game.

On the ground, the Vikings were slightly better, ranked 22nd with 108.3 rushing yards per game. This season, running backs Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason are expected to shoulder the rushing workload. They aim to build on the modest success of the previous season.

Defensive Strength

Defensively, the Vikings were robust last season, ranking 7th in points allowed with just 19.6 per game. Their passing defense was notably strong, ranking 2nd with 158.5 yards allowed per game. This solid defense was complemented by a top-tier pass rush that amassed 49 sacks, ranking 4th in the league.

However, their rushing defense had room for improvement, ranking 21st with 124.1 yards allowed per game. The Vikings will look to key players like Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman to fortify this area. The defense's ability to create turnovers will also be crucial, as they ranked 8th in takeaways last season.

Recent Preseason Games

The Vikings faced challenges in the preseason, losing two out of three games. They were defeated by the Denver Broncos 34-6 and the Baltimore Ravens 13-3. However, they managed a victory against the New York Giants, winning 13-10.

Quarterback play was a focal point, with Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer sharing duties. The running game showed promise with Demond Claiborne and Aaron Jones Sr. contributing effectively. The preseason highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in offensive consistency and defensive resilience.

Key Injuries

The Vikings will be without several key players due to injuries. Linebacker Jamal Adams and running back Jermar Jefferson are both on injured reserve and will miss the entire season. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is questionable for Week 1 with an ankle injury, which may impact the team's passing game strategy.

Other notable absences include wide receiver Jeshaun Jones, who is suspended, and multiple defensive players. These injuries present opportunities for depth players to step up and make significant contributions in their absence.

Betting Trends

• The Vikings won all their last five regular-season games in 2025 both straight up and against the spread.
• They have a strong record as favorites, winning and covering the spread in their last three games as favorites.
• At home, the Vikings won and covered the spread in their last three games.
• They had a 62.5% success rate hitting the over in their last eight away games.
• The Vikings' overall record for over/under in 2025 was slightly under 50%, at 46.7%.

Green Bay Packers: A Glimpse into the Upcoming Game Against the Minnesota Vikings

Quarterback Dynamics

Jordan Love, the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback, is entering the 2026 season with expectations to build on his prior performances. Last season, he accumulated 3,381 passing yards, ranking 13th in the league, with 23 touchdowns to his name. Love's ability to limit turnovers was evident as he threw only six interceptions throughout the season.

Backing him up is veteran Tyrod Taylor, who will bring experience and depth to the quarterback position. Taylor's role may be limited to mentorship unless an injury necessitates his presence on the field.

Running Back Situation

The Packers' running game faces challenges as Josh Jacobs, a key player from the previous season with 929 rushing yards, is out due to legal issues. This leaves MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks to handle the rushing duties. Brooks, who played in all 17 games last year, will likely see increased carries in Jacobs' absence.

Depth at the running back position will be tested, and contributions from Kaleb Johnson could become significant as the season progresses. The Packers will need a strong ground game to complement their passing attack effectively.

Wide Receiver and Tight End Outlook

Christian Watson, who had 611 receiving yards in ten games last season, remains a pivotal target for Love. J. Michael Sturdivant is expected to step up as the secondary receiver option, looking to improve upon his previous performances.

The tight end position is under scrutiny with Tucker Kraft's questionable status due to a knee injury. If Kraft is unable to play, Josh Whyle may see more opportunities to contribute in the passing game.

Defensive Strategy

The Packers' defense ranked 11th in opponent scores allowed last season, averaging 21.2 points per game. With 36 sacks, they were 11th in the league, and they'll look to maintain pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Key defensive players like Nyjalik Kelly and Zaire Franklin will be integral in stopping the Vikings' offense.

However, the defense faces injury concerns, with Micah Parsons and Jordon Riley out, which may impact their ability to contain the Vikings' rushing attack. The Packers' defense will need to adjust strategies to accommodate these absences.

Injury Concerns

Injuries could play a significant role in the Packers' season opener, as several players are on the injury list. Notable absences include Josh Jacobs and Micah Parsons, both pivotal in their respective positions. The team will need to rely on their depth and adaptability to manage these losses effectively.

Questionable statuses for players like Tucker Kraft and Carrington Valentine could further complicate game preparations. The coaching staff will need to make strategic adjustments depending on their availability.

Green Bay Packers Betting Trends

• The Packers have a 100% over/under success rate as favorites in their last three regular season games of 2025.
• They have a 75% over/under success rate in their last eight away games of 2025.
• The team has a 64.3% over/under success rate across their last 14 regular season games in 2025.
• The Packers have a 57.1% straight-up success rate in their last seven away games of 2025.
• They have struggled with a 33.3% success rate against the spread as underdogs in their last three regular season games of 2025.

Vikings vs Packers Prediction: Vikings -1.5

The Minnesota Vikings enter this season opener as -1.5-point favorites, and there's a strong case for them to cover the spread. With a perfect 5-0 ATS record in their last five regular season games, the Vikings have demonstrated their capacity to perform under pressure. Additionally, their home-field advantage at U.S. Bank Stadium has been formidable, especially against NFC North opponents like the Packers.

Green Bay, on the other hand, has struggled offensively during the 2025 season, ranking 15th in overall scoring. Although the Packers' defense has been solid, limiting opponents to just over 21 points per game last season, the Vikings' offense is expected to exploit gaps, particularly with their home crowd's support. The Packers' record when playing away also doesn't inspire confidence, and their last meeting at this venue ended in a 16-3 loss.

The Vikings' consistent performance as favorites, with a 3-0 ATS record in such situations last season, further justifies backing them. Moreover, their defensive strength, ranked 7th in points allowed per game, is likely to restrict the Packers' offensive capabilities. With Kevin O'Connell at the helm, the Vikings have shown strategic growth, providing them with an edge in this matchup.

Given these factors, the projected final score leans in favor of the Vikings winning by more than the spread. A predicted score of 24-20 supports the notion that Minnesota will cover the spread, making them the smart pick for this game.

• Vikings vs Packers Prediction: Vikings -1.5
• Vikings vs Packers Score: Vikings 24 - Packers 20

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