Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have controlled the NFC North for the past three seasons, but the Minnesota Vikings might be their stiffest competition for the division crown in 2022. While Rodgers has won back-to-back MVPs, he’s still seeking his first Super Bowl appearance since the 2010 campaign.
Here’s our look at Sunday’s Packers vs. Vikings matchup, the injuries to key players, and predictions from our NFL staff.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings preview
Rodgers is always the driving force behind Green Bay’s offensive efforts, but he’ll be playing without star receiver Davante Adams, whom the Packers traded to the Las Vegas Raiders for first- and second-round picks. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon are the offense’s two best skill position players, so a run-heavy attack behind an excellent GB offensive line could be in store.
The Packers’ defense has a chance to be elite. Cornerback Jaire Alexander is back healthy to lead a robust — if top-heavy — secondary, while rookies Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt have been added to a front seven that already included Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, and De’Vondre Campbell.
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On the other side of the field, former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell has come to Minnesota to change the culture, install the Sean McVay offense, and chew bubble gum — and he’s all out of gum. Kirk Cousins could post more attempts than ever before in his career, and he might top 40 touchdowns if everything breaks right.
He gets to throw to the NFL’s best young receiver in Justin Jefferson, who’s put up 3,016 yards over his first two seasons, more than any pass catcher in league history. Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook are critical pieces of the offense, too, but Jefferson has a chance to record a historic season.
How to watch
- Date/Time
Sunday, Sept. 11, 4:25 p.m. ET - Channel
FOX - Live Stream
Vidgo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV (some markets), fuboTV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, FOX Now
Matchup and stats
The Packers and Vikings first met in 1961 and have since played 123 games against each other. Green Bay holds the series edge, 64-56-3, but the clubs split last year, with each team winning their home contest.
Expected to make a run through the NFC playoffs, the Packers ended last season with a shocking 13-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round. The Vikings went out in style in Mike Zimmer’s final game as head coach, defeating the Chicago Bears 31-17 in Week 18.
Green Bay Packers 2021 stats/rankings
- Scoring: 26.5 (seventh)
- Yards: 365.6 (10th)
- Yards per play: 5.8 (eighth)
- Passing: 253.8 (eighth)
- Rushing: 111.8 (18th)
- Defensive scoring: 21.8 (14th)
- Yards allowed: 328.2 (19th)
- Yards per play allowed: 5.4 (16th)
- Pass defense: 219.1 (10th)
- Rush defense: 109.1 (11th)
Minnesota Vikings 2021 stats/rankings
- Scoring: 25.0 (14th)
- Yards: 362.8 (12th)
- Yards per play: 5.7 (12th)
- Passing: 249.3 (11th)
- Rushing: 113.5 (17th)
- Defensive scoring: 25.1 (24th)
- Yards allowed: 383.6 (30th)
- Yards per play allowed: 5.7 (26th)
- Pass defense: 252.9 (28th)
- Rush defense: 130.7 (26th)
Injuries to know
Green Bay Packers:
WR Allen Lazard (ankle, doubtful)
OT David Bakhtiari (knee, questionable)
OT Elgton Jenkins (knee, questionable)
RB Kylin Hill (physically unable to perform)
S Innis Gaines (injured reserve)
DT Akial Byers (injured reserve)
S Vernon Scott (injured reserve)
WR Malk Taylor (injured reserve)
K Gabe Brkic (injured reserve)
WR Osirius Mitchell (injured reserve)
Minnesota Vikings:
S Lewis Cine (knee, questionable)
DE Jonathan Bullard (bicep, questionable)
LB Ryan Connelly (physically unable to perform)
WR Blake Proehl (physically Robinson’sperform)
WR Thomas Hennigan (injured reserve)
DE Kenny Willekes (injured reserve)
Prediction
Betting line (courtesy of Caesars)
PK; Packers -110, Vikings -110; O/U 46.5
Adam Beasley’s Prediction
1-0 straight-up, 1-0 against the spread in 2022
Packers 31, Vikings 20
Dalton Miller’s Prediction
1-0 straight-up, 1-0 against the spread in 2022
Packers 30, Vikings 24
Dallas Robinson’s Prediction
1-0 straight-up, 0-1 against the spread in 2022
Packers 28, Vikings 25