Packers – Vikings → NFL Game Betting Odds & Predictions

Sunday afternoon will mark the 124th meeting between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings, whose rivalry dates back to 1961, when the Vikings entered the NFL as an expansion team. The Packers lead the series all time with 64 wins and 56 losses, and with three games ending in ties. The Packers won the most recent meeting back in Week 17 of the 2022 season, rolling to a 37-10 victory. This time around, the Packers come in without Davante Adams, but they still have Aaron Rodgers leading the offense. Let’s take a closer look at this NFC North showdown as you consider your NFL betting choices for the Week 1.

NFL Preview: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Week 1 (Sunday, September 11)

 When: Sunday, September 11, 2022, 4:25 pm ET
Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: FOX
Radio: WRNW 97.3 FM Milwaukee / KFAN 100.3 FM Minneapolis
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Green Bay -1.5 / O/U 46.5 / Green Bay -120 / Minnesota +100

Why should you bet on the Packers?

The Packers won 13 games last season but fell at home in the divisional round to San Francisco last year. In that 13-10 loss in the snow, the 49ers did not score an offensive touchdown but instead scored on a blocked punt and nailed the game-winning field goal as time expired. The San Francisco defense was able to lock down the Packers’ attack, even after Green Bay reverted to a run-heavy approach in the snowy conditions.

This means that the Packers should have plenty of motivation coming into Week 1. They did lose Adams, but they added Sammy Watkins and tey still have Allen Lazard. Their defense comes in a bit underrated; last season, the team ranked ninth in total defense, and their front includes Dean Lowry and Kenny Clark. Rasul Douglas and Jaire Alexander are elite defensive backs, so the Packers should have the players they need to slow down the Viking offense. The running game in Green Bay is also stout, with A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones pounding the ball.

Why should you put your money on the Vikings?

Minnesota bid farewell to longtime head coach Mike Zimmer after an 8-9 2021 season that featured an utter collapse on defense; given that Zimmer was a defense-minded coach, that breakdown was surprising. Kevin O’Connell takes the helm and leads the Vikings into 2022. With Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith on defense this time around, the unit should be better. The offense has terrific talent: Kirk Cousins, Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook. Right tackel Brian O’Neill went to the Pro Bowl last season and comes back ready to anchor the O-line again.

As always, the questions come down to Cousins. He has a cannon arm and has stacked up a number of statistical accolades. The problems come when it’s time to deliver in the clutch. He has gotten the Vikings to the playoffs in the past, but he just hasn’t gotten them very far, and he has a tendency to miss receivers and throw interceptions at the wrong time. If he can overcome that this time around, he has the targets to win.

Final Score and Prediction

Vikings fans are probably tired of reading predictions like this (and watching games that turn out like this), but I just don’t see Cousins outdueling Rodgers. Cousins has better offensive talent around him, but he just does not deliver in the clutch like Rodgers does. I predict a final score of Green Bay 30, Minnesota 23.

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