Packers Periscope: Week 1 vs Minnesota Vikings

After an unprecedented NFL offseason and training camp, the Green Bay Packers will play their week one matchup on time this Sunday. Everyone is wondering how the product will look. No preseason, no tune ups. The Packers haven’t entered a regular season without having played at least an exhibition since 1933, according to Packers.com. To put that more into perspective, Minnesota didn’t even have a franchise back then. In 2020, the Vikings are fielding a team and it will be a damn good one, too.

Minnesota could pose the tallest hurdle in Green Bay’s attempt to repeat as NFC North Champs. They’ve lost some keys players, but they’ve added some as well. The Packers won’t have to worry about the likes of Stefon Diggs, Everson Griffen, or Xavier Rhodes on Sunday. However, they will have to face a recently acquired Yannick Ngakoue. If Danielle Hunter hadn’t been placed on injured-reserve on Wednesday, Green Bay’s offensive line could have been totally overmatched. Honestly, they still could be.

Last year, the Packers swept the regular season series, which hadn’t been done since 2011. Getting off to a fast start will be pivotal for the as Green Bay opens up the season facing back to back divisional opponents. They last time they lost the season opener was in 2014 to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Packers offense could be their greatest weapon this year. Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Davate Adams are one helluva trio. On one hand Rodgers has had great success when playing the Vikings. Meanwhile, Jones totaled 46 carries for 270 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns in a pair of meetings in 2019.

Adams is back to full health after finishing last season at “70 percent” due to a toe injury suffered in week four.

2020 will be year two of Matt LaFleur’s offense. Many expect Rodgers and company to find their footing and put up big numbers with a year under their belt.

Green Bay’s defense is hoping to get a sour taste out of their mouth in the form of 285 rushing yards allowed to the San Francisco 49ers. Personnel wise, not much has changed so defensive coordinator has to do a better of job of getting this defense ready. Otherwise, his job is in jeopardy.

Sunday will be our first look at their new inside linebacker Christian Kirksey. He will be in the middle of a defense that has a lot of hope and hype surrounding it.

On a good day, Kirk Cousins and Minnesota’s receiving threats can get the better of the Packers. They’ve done it before. However, it’s running back Dalvin Cook that they should be worried about. Hungry for a new contract, Cook is looking to prove himself as one of the league’s top backs. 

A win for Green Bay this Sunday would be massive, awesome, extraordinary but nothing is going to beat having football back after a year full of so much doubt. Let’s enjoy it.

 

 

Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.

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Comments (5)

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ricky's picture

September 11, 2020 at 04:10 pm

Just as the Packers have an injury prone Kirksey, so the Vikings have an injury prone Cook. The only real concern I have it RT; and if Turner can stand the heat, that would be a major plus. If Rodgers plays like Mahones did Thursday- take the short gains, keep the chains moving, eat up the clock, the Packers have a very good chance of winning. I have high hopes for this year's team. I think their record will be worse, but they could be the surprise of the league come playoff time. Especially if Rodgers is in his "I'll show you!" mode.

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PatrickGB's picture

September 11, 2020 at 05:15 pm

I expect that Wagner might start on Sunday. I also would not be surprised if one of our backup guards gets some snaps at RT.

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mnbadger's picture

September 11, 2020 at 06:11 pm

I too am excited for Sunday's game, for many reasons. The first and biggest is how much I love watching the PACK KICK QUEENS' rear ends. Pack 30 - 20. GPG

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splitpea1's picture

September 11, 2020 at 07:57 pm

Good opportunity for our WRs to make an impact against the Vikes' new starting corners.

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spaces's picture

September 12, 2020 at 03:25 am

These matches are always so much fun to watch and had a great game like always, keep going
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