A little over a week until we hear the BEST CHANT IN SPORTS! #SKOL pic.twitter.com/pzosGHMSJ5

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 4, 2026

The #Vikings are the favorites over the #Packers in week 1 according to the NFL picks crew. pic.twitter.com/LgipckzYGi

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 2, 2026

In their eight-game stretch from 11/1-12/20 the Vikings will play three divisional games, four primetime games, five playoff teams, and one Super Bowl participant.

A hot start in September and October is CRUCIAL.

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) September 4, 2026

It’s crazy this was Kevin O’Connell’s FIRST game as an offensive playcaller and he was absolutely in his bag. https://t.co/itXpnlYRPS

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) September 4, 2026

The Minnesota Vikings are 11-8-1 against the Green Bay Packers since 2016.

The next chapter begins one week from tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/lha7rHzeOR

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) September 5, 2026

The #Vikings might have the best special teams unit in the NFL

Will Reichard: 2025 1st Team All-Pro
Brett Thorson: 2025 Ray Guy Award Winner (best punter in the nation)
Andrew DePaola: 2025 2nd Team All-Pro pic.twitter.com/K4ISmu0IJW

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 5, 2026

https://t.co/PMrkwhZbEK

— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) September 3, 2026

Week 1 Keys To Victory Vs. The Green Bay Packers

We get a hot start to the season this year- hosting our biggest rival, the Green Bay Packers. This is the first test of the season to see how our offseason adjustments pan out. Every season comes with a breath of fresh air and excitement, this year is no different with the addition of QB1 Kyler Murray. The Vikings are currently -1.5 favorites going into the game with the O/U set at 46.5.

As for the opposition, the Packers are short staffed, most notably Micah Parsons, who begins the season on the PUP list as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL. In addition, Josh Jacobs is on the commissioner exempt list as the league investigates his domestic abuse case. This presents an opportunity for us to take advantage of their unavailability and start the season in the win column.

Keys To Victory

1. Win On The Ground

Last season the Vikings finished 23rd in rushing yards as a team. This year, we bring back all 5 starters on the offensive line, and 9 out of 11 starters on this side of the ball overall. The addition of Kyler Murray only helps here. He is one of the premier dual threat quarterbacks in terms of rushing yards at his position league wide and figures to help in this category both directly and indirectly.

We showcased a rushing priority in the sole possession of the preseason where the entire starting unit shared the field. The 9 play, 5 minute and 29 second drive produced:

• 6 runs

• 44 rushing yards (7.33 YPC)

• 2 15+ yard runs (Mason 15, Jones 18)

• 3 Points (FG)

The addition of Frank Smith is sure to bring more focus to the overall balance between pass and run for our team this season. Last year, this was an issue in games, where we would entirely abandon the run- this hurts more than you would think in terms of controlling the time of possession and the overall control of how we win football games. For reference, last season we passed on 61.3% of plays and ran the ball on just 38.7% of plays. The league average sits at a 56/44 split. If you look behind the curtain, you notice a direct correlation between more running and winning football games. The 3 most run heavy teams last season were the Ravens, Bills and the Super Bowl winning Seahawks. Establishing the run has massive implications for winning football games.

Read more on the addition of Frank Smith here.

2. Win The Turnover Battle

This is a broken record- but needs to be a focus for us off the jump this season. Last year, we had the most giveaways out of all teams in the NFL (21 INT, 9 Fumbles Lost). Our turnover differential was tied for 29th in the NFL at -9.

Our defense did its part, generating 21 takeaways last year (8 INT, 13 Fumble Recoveries). We led the NFL in fumble recoveries and were in the middle of the pack on interceptions. The Packers were positive in turnover differential at +1.

Turnovers are one of the most pivotal deciding factors in game outcome, and winning this battle is a key to victory for us in not only week 1, but also for positive momentum as we roll through the season.

3. Prevent Big Time Throw % For Jordan Love

Jordan Love finished 2nd in the NFL in BTT% last season (Big Time Throw Percentage) behind only MVP Matthew Stafford.

BTT% was developed by PFF

, which measures a QB's specific traits beyond basic box scores. It measures the following:

• Throw Difficulty- Passes sent far down the field or threaded into tight windows against heavy coverage

• Execution Under Pressure- Accurate, well-timed balls delivered while the quarterback faces a collapsing pocket or immediate pass rush

• Anticipation and Value- Plays where exceptional arm talent and decision-making create major offensive gains, regardless of whether the receiver ultimately catches or drops the pass

Jordan Love will be throwing the rock week 1 with Jacobs out. This offense is not short of weapons, and the scary part of this group is they look to only get better and gain more confidence together. He gets one of his top targets back in the rotation in Tucker Kraft, who can present nightmares for defensive coordinators. 2nd year WR Matthew Golden broke out towards the end of the season after a very underwhelming start and their top receiver is healthier coming into the season than years past in Christian Watson.

There will be no shortage of threat here- DC Brian Flores is among the best in the business at disrupting opposing QB's. Limiting this statistic and getting stops will be paramount to our chances of securing a victory to start the season in the win column.

SKOL

This Vikings defense, which has finished top-3 in EPA/play two seasons in a row, looked awesome throughout training camp. Now Harrison Smith and Kyle Van Noy are aboard as the finishing touches, bringing all kinds of experience.

Look out.

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) September 5, 2026

Its pretty good from an injury perspective for the Vikings heading into next Sunday's Packer game. Hopefully the doors will be open at U.S. Bank.

StickierBuns wrote:

Its pretty good from an injury perspective for the Vikings heading into next Sunday's Packer game. Hopefully the doors will be open at U.S. Bank.

After a July/Aug here that would rival Jax, the temp is forecasted to be mid/upper 60's on game day.

Not that it matters much in a dome - but glad mother nature is making things more tolerable here, finally.

Week 1 - 1992

OTD 1992#Vikings #Packers
Dennis Green becomes the second Black head coach in #NFL history.@RichGannon12 21-44-266-2-1
Allen 12-140 5-53
Reveiz gives Green his first win, 23-20. https://t.co/mg5N7CXMSB

— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) September 6, 2026

September 6, 1992, at Lambeau Field, marking the debut game for both rookie head coaches Dennis Green of the Vikings and Mike Holmgren of the Packers. Minnesota won 23–20 in overtime after running back Terry Allen bounced back from an earlier fumble with a 45-yard run, setting up a game-winning 25-yard field goal by Fuad Reveiz

@ CHI in week 2 is the tougher game I think. Would love to see the Vikes pull this one out.

There’s a real chance we make Not Josh Jacobs look like Barry Sanders I think, but if we can contain the run I think the Vikes will take it. Predicting a win despite also predicting a Kyler turnover or two.

FTP !