Two longtime rivals try to pick up an early division win as the Minnesota Vikings face the Green Bay Packers. The Packers (13-3 SU and 10-6 ATS in 2019) have questions about their offensive firepower while the Vikings (10-6 SU and 9-7 ATS) deal with similar issues. Expect a lower-scoring game as the teams work through the kinks of a preseason-less year.
- Date/Time: September 13, 1 p.m. ET
- Stadium: U.S. Bank Stadium
- TV Coverage: Fox
- Sportsbook Odds: Vikings -3.5 | O/U 46.5 (Line History)
- Packers vs Vikings Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Minnesota Vikings opened as -3.5 favorites, but that line has since moved to -2.5 at many books as money comes in on the Packers. The total opened at 46.5 and can be found ranging from 45.5 to 46.5 depending on the book.
Green Bay News & Notes
The Packers, once again led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, enter Year 2 under head coach Matt LaFleur. LaFleur and the front office have made pretty clear their intentions of being a run-first offense, which takes the ball out of Rodgers’ hand. This was evident last season as Rodgers posted his lowest yards per pass attempt (7.03) since 2015.
The team also failed to address an already thin receiving corps either in the draft or through free agency, leaving star wideout Davante Adams as the only real option out wide for Rodgers.
On defense, the Packers return one of the league’s top pass-rushing duos in Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith and a collection of promising defensive backs.
The Packers went 9-1 in one-score games last season, including the playoffs, a feat they are unlikely to repeat.
Minnesota News & Notes
The Vikings enter the 2020 season fielding a defense missing a couple of key players from last season, including defensive linemen Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen and multiple starting cornerbacks. However, new defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, acquired by trade from Jacksonville, should ease some pass rush concerns.
Minnesota’s offense was an efficient unit in 2019 as the team ranked 28th in plays per game but 16th in points per game. However, that efficiency is likely to take a hit this year following the trade of star receiver Stefon Diggs to Buffalo. Whispers of a possible contract holdout for stud running back Dalvin Cook could derail the offense further, but all indications are that Cook will play in Week 1 as he enters the final year of his deal.
Look for receiver Adam Thielen to have a big game against Green Bay. Thielen projects as a target hog for Kirk Cousins following the departure of Diggs and the reportedly slow development of top draft choice Justin Jefferson.
Betting Pick: Vikings -2.5
Green Bay won both meetings between these teams last season, but we are counting on a bit of regression in the win column for the Packers. The Vikings should not have too much trouble holding Green Bay to a low point total as the Packers’ weapon-devoid offense prefers to slow the game down anyway.
- The Packers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on the road in September.
- The Vikings are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games as a favorite.
- The Vikings are 9-1 SU and ATS in their last 10 games at home in September.
