Week 1: Packers @ Vikings Pre-Game Thead

[El Guapo]

Let's start talking about this game in earnest. The Vikings still have one of the best DCs in the game, but lost a key piece at safety in Harrison Smith and his replacement Adams tore his quad. Their DL looks improved from what I've read throughout training camp and seen. They drafted two big guys that may not provide a huge impact in Week 1, but likely will in the future. We should be able to score on the Vikings.

The real battle is their offense against our defense. Most of their skill players are the same with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, and Aaron Jones. They added Jauan Jennings from the 49ers and massively upgraded their QB with Kyler Murray. Obviously, we don't know how well Murray will do but we know that he's fast and can play. How well does he know the playbook? How much can Kevin O'Connell (KOC) do to resurrect his career like he's done with Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold? This could be an extremely potent offense...and we know that we are thin at CB and edge, until Parsons returns.

I think that the Packers are in a better place to win this game but I expect it to be a relatively high-scoring game for Week 1. Of course, Week 1 these days is always muted because these guys don't really get a chance to play in the preseason. I expect a 31-28 type of game.

 

[gopkrs]

I doubt the playbook is a problem for Murray. I do think we have to keep him contained. And that could slow down the rush. This will be a test on our O line. I trust there won't be excuses after. As always we have to come out motivated and psyched and stay that way. They will. GoPackGo!

 

[milani]

Let's start talking about this game in earnest. The Vikings still have one of the best DCs in the game, but lost a key piece at safety in Harrison Smith and his replacement Adams tore his quad. Their DL looks improved from what I've read throughout training camp and seen. They drafted two big guys that may not provide a huge impact in Week 1, but likely will in the future. We should be able to score on the Vikings.

The real battle is their offense against our defense. Most of their skill players are the same with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, and Aaron Jones. They added Jauan Jennings from the 49ers and massively upgraded their QB with Kyler Murray. Obviously, we don't know how well Murray will do but we know that he's fast and can play. How well does he know the playbook? How much can Kevin O'Connell (KOC) do to resurrect his career like he's done with Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold? This could be an extremely potent offense...and we know that we are thin at CB and edge, until Parsons returns.

I think that the Packers are in a better place to win this game but I expect it to be a relatively high-scoring game for Week 1. Of course, Week 1 these days is always muted because these guys don't really get a chance to play in the preseason. I expect a 31-28 type of game.

It may appear that we should be able to put up points because we know their defensive well. However, the Vikes may scheme differently knowing Jacobs is not there. The bigger factor is the crowd noise and opening D incentive that is on their side. With the youth of our offense and new players you have to figure that the jitters will cause some false starts and holding penalties. And can we stay out of 3rd and long.
The Vikings have an advantage with Jones and their other weapons. If JJ were in there we could see some INTs. Murray will take what the defense gives him and keep us off the field.
To win this game we have to force turnovers and ST has to stay out of illegal blocks. Can Smack deliver if he gets the chance?
We did open the season in Minnesota when Cousins was there. It may have been MLF's first game. We put up 43 and won by like 9. But that team had Davante, Jones, and Jaire etc.

 

[milani]

I doubt the playbook is a problem for Murray. I do think we have to keep him contained. And that could slow down the rush. This will be a test on our O line. I trust there won't be excuses after. As always we have to come out motivated and psyched and stay that way. They will.

I believe we faced Murray once in Arizona on a Thursday night in 2021. He was a Pro Bowler. Davante and Lazard had COVID. The Cardinals were 7-0. Cobb made some plays. Robert Tonyan made a big gain and tore his ACL. MLF crafted maybe his best game plan as a coach. Rasul picked Murray on a mix up with AJ Green in the end zone to ice the game. Let's hope Murray has a few of those this time, too.

 

[AGreen2AJones]

Are the Vikings really the favorites??? Will MLF lose six games in a row??

 

[milani]

Are the Vikings really the favorites??? Will MLF lose six games in a row??

The Vikings will be favored. Home field. Plus they finished the season with 5 wins. We finished with 5 losses. We may be favored in WK 2 depending on our performance in this one and our injury report.

 

[OldSchool101]

I believe we faced Murray once in Arizona on a Thursday night in 2021. He was a Pro Bowler. Davante and Lazard had COVID. The Cardinals were 7-0. Cobb made some plays. Robert Tonyan made a big gain and tore his ACL. MLF crafted maybe his best game plan as a coach. Rasul picked Murray on a mix up with AJ Green in the end zone to ice the game. Let's hope Murray has a few of those this time, too.

I remember that Rasul INT like it was yesterday. Rasul had just been signed and he had a fantastic game and that season we looked strong.

 

[OldSchool101]

Game 1 is always a crapshoot. Win or lose it’s not indicative of the season is what I recall from many examples of Rodgers starting 1-2 etc. Brady and Rodgers both lost early games 3-38. Literally. I always thought the strategy advantage of the Offense can be a little disjointed.

That said for us specifically these earlier games hold extra weight. IMO if Green Bay gets a fast start.. such as 2-0 or 3-1 etc.. ? it will help in weighted fashion because of Parsons returning shortly afterwards. Anyone watching football last year saw his impact just being out there.

 

[milani]

I remember that Rasul INT like it was yesterday. Rasul had just been signed and he had a fantastic game and that season we looked strong.

We were 7-1 after that game. But Rodgers got Covid and could not play in KC. If he plays we likely win that game. It was 13-10.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Are the Vikings really the favorites??? Will MLF lose six games in a row??

If you can lose 5 in a row, losing 6 in a row shouldn't come as a surprise. Without Parsons, Jacobs and ZBB and Kraft not at full strength, Murray will need to throw some picks to keep the Packers in the game.

 

[El Guapo]

We were 7-1 after that game. But Rodgers got Covid and could not play in KC. If he plays we likely win that game. It was 13-10.

Didn't MLF come down with COVID in one of those games as well? I thought that Jerry Gray had to coach??

I looked it up. Joe Barry missed the Arizona game and Gray called the defense. I thought that would be the end of Barry, since the defense seemed to play their hearts out for Jerry Gray in that game against the Cardinals. Since leaving GB, Gray apparently did superb work with Atlanta's secondary and has now followed Raheem Morris to the 49ers for 2026.

 

[El Guapo]

I doubt the playbook is a problem for Murray. I do think we have to keep him contained. And that could slow down the rush. This will be a test on our O line. I trust there won't be excuses after. As always we have to come out motivated and psyched and stay that way. They will. GoPackGo!

I only mention the playbook because that was one of the rumored issues in Arizona. For his sake (not the Vikings), I hope that he has better focus on his career.

Your statement about the pass rush is key. On the one hand, the Packers without Parsons have a less-effective pass rush. Couple that with Murray's scrambling ability and I would expect us to lean more to the side of containment. On the other hand, that puts more stress on coverage by our CBs - which is not a favorable matchup for us. I expect Gannon to scheme up blitzes to test Murray's reading ability, as blitzing might be one of our only strategies to deal with their offensive weapons.

 

[Schultz]

Fanduel has MN as 1.5 pt. favorites. O/U 46.5. Of the other 16 games 8 have o/u less and 8 have higher totals.

 

[milani]

If you can lose 5 in a row, losing 6 in a row shouldn't come as a surprise. Without Parsons, Jacobs and ZBB and Kraft not at full strength, Murray will need to throw some picks to keep the Packers in the game.

Maybe we could rent Rasul for one game.

 

[milani]

Didn't MLF come down with COVID in one of those games as well? I thought that Jerry Gray had to coach??

I looked it up. Joe Barry missed the Arizona game and Gray called the defense. I thought that would be the end of Barry, since the defense seemed to play their hearts out for Jerry Gray in that game against the Cardinals. Since leaving GB, Gray apparently did superb work with Atlanta's secondary and has now followed Raheem Morris to the 49ers for 2026.

Seems like the competition is loaded everywhere.

 

[gopkrs]

Seems like the competition is loaded everywhere.

Yes. Seems like there is a lot more READY talent all over the NCAA these days.

 

[Schultz]

I did not know where to put this. Coming to Milwaukee for a Cubs game this week and staying at Clarion Pointe. The plan is pre-game at Who's on Layton and taking their shuttle to and from the game. Any thoughts or suggestions from locals will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Snoops]

I think Minnesota is slept on this year. If Kyler gives Minnesota average qb play all year then they will be a big problem id say. Any team can win the division and I think any team can finish last. I’m worried about us week 1 so many questions along the oline with Flores throwing the book how do they hold up against the pass rush. If love has time to throw I think he can pick them a part but he folds against the pressure I don’t see us scoring to many points in the first game. On defense I worry about the lack of pressure we can generate and our corners. If they don’t get pressure on Kyler he will sit back comfy and **** and dunk on us. If they do get pressure then they have to contain Kyler how do the corners respond to covering their receivers for longer than normal if they can’t get to the QB I think there will be growing pains week 1 until they get the o line figured out and Zach is 100% I feel like the pressure, stadium noise and all that gets to love in week 1 defense looks shaky and they fall short and don’t look good doing it I will then expect a bounce back game the following week.
Vikings 27
Packers 13
I hate the Vikings so much lol but this has that feel to it.

 

[milani]

I think Minnesota is slept on this year. If Kyler gives Minnesota average qb play all year then they will be a big problem id say. Any team can win the division and I think any team can finish last. I’m worried about us week 1 so many questions along the oline with Flores throwing the book how do they hold up against the pass rush. If love has time to throw I think he can pick them a part but he folds against the pressure I don’t see us scoring to many points in the first game. On defense I worry about the lack of pressure we can generate and our corners. If they don’t get pressure on Kyler he will sit back comfy and **** and dunk on us. If they do get pressure then they have to contain Kyler how do the corners respond to covering their receivers for longer than normal if they can’t get to the QB I think there will be growing pains week 1 until they get the o line figured out and Zach is 100% I feel like the pressure, stadium noise and all that gets to love in week 1 defense looks shaky and they fall short and don’t look good doing it I will then expect a bounce back game the following week.
Vikings 27
Packers 13
I hate the Vikings so much lol but this has that feel to it.

Dialing up pressure with just the front line is going to be extremely difficult. We have to put up points and get some help with ST. It is what it is. Now we did surprise the Vikings up there when Cousins was still around. They were favored but their RB was out.

 

[El Guapo]

The pressure will have to come from corner and safety blitzes

 

[milani]

The pressure will have to come from corner and safety blitzes

And Jonathan may dial up some. With Kyler instead of JJ it makes me think he will be looking to hit the other JJ for a big one.

 

[OldSchool101]

I think Minnesota is slept on this year. If Kyler gives Minnesota average qb play all year then they will be a big problem id say. Any team can win the division and I think any team can finish last. I’m worried about us week 1 so many questions along the oline with Flores throwing the book how do they hold up against the pass rush. If love has time to throw I think he can pick them a part but he folds against the pressure I don’t see us scoring to many points in the first game. On defense I worry about the lack of pressure we can generate and our corners. If they don’t get pressure on Kyler he will sit back comfy and **** and dunk on us. If they do get pressure then they have to contain Kyler how do the corners respond to covering their receivers for longer than normal if they can’t get to the QB I think there will be growing pains week 1 until they get the o line figured out and Zach is 100% I feel like the pressure, stadium noise and all that gets to love in week 1 defense looks shaky and they fall short and don’t look good doing it I will then expect a bounce back game the following week.
Vikings 27
Packers 13
I hate the Vikings so much lol but this has that feel to it.

Hey snoops. Obviously week 1 is hard to predict either way. Kyler is not Jordan Love and GB has the clear upper hand at QB. Now Minnesota does have some great O weapons with Jefferson, Addison and Aaron Jones. Yet I’m not sure those guys are all in peak of their primes either. GB on the other hand hand has several players entering their career peak area. Starting with Golden in Year 2 to Love in year 4, to Kraft And Reed In Year 4, to Watson in year 5.

First they lost Jonathan Greenard. Greenard had 15 Sacks and 28 TFL over his last 2 seasons and he only finished 11 games last year. Greenards’ 131 Pressures rank #13 in the NFL across 2024-25. They also sent Javon Hargrave to GB and are relying on their young players (Caleb Banks + Dominque Orange) to fill Veteran roles and big empty shoes

Now The Packers similarly lost a substantial impact player in Rashan Gary and hoping Lukas Van Ness lifts his game. However GB also added Javon Hargrave and at least we felt like McClellan was more well rounded than Orange.

GB 23 Vikings 21

 

[gopkrs]

Hey snoops. Obviously week 1 is hard to predict either way. Kyler is not Jordan Love and GB has the clear upper hand at QB. Now Minnesota does have some great O weapons with Jefferson, Addison and Aaron Jones. Yet I’m not sure those guys are all in peak of their primes either. GB on the other hand hand has several players entering their career peak area. Starting with Golden in Year 2 to Love in year 4, to Kraft And Reed In Year 4, to Watson in year 5.

First they lost Jonathan Greenard. Greenard had 15 Sacks and 28 TFL over his last 2 seasons and he only finished 11 games last year. Greenards’ 131 Pressures rank #13 in the NFL across 2024-25. They also sent Javon Hargrave to GB and are relying on their depth (Orange) to fill big empty shoes

GB 23 Vikings 21

I have to ask. Where can I get a pair of those rose colored glasses you wear?

 

[OldSchool101]

I have to ask. Where can I get a pair of those rose colored glasses you wear?

look up PackersnBrewersKickTush.com

I did like their WR Juan Jennings, he was a nice signing. I just think any team (including ours) that expects their RD1 + RD3 pick in a Rookie season to replicate Greenard and Hargrave snap for snap (might as well be Gary and Clark) is Delirious.

The Vikings are relying on Murray to be Darnold. Nobody even knows what version of Kyler Murray we will see. Kyler has played 1 full season since 2021. He does have a better overall team around him so no more excuses. I don’t want to hear the ifs and buts one time after 2026.

 

[Pkrjones]

Safety Harrison Smith is returning to the Vikes for '26. He's got a week to refresh himself on the D but it shouldn't be too difficult.

GB 34 - Vikes 24