The Green Bay Packers open the 2026 NFL regular season in Minnesota against the Vikings. The Packers hope to get off to a good start to the new season in an important divisional game that could have playoff tiebreaking implications. Here are the keys to victory for the Packers in their Week 1 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Packers lead the all-time series between these two teams 66-60-3 in the regular season. The Packers and Vikings split their two games last year although the Packers rested most of their starters in the regular season finale that they lost to the Vikings. The two teams first met during the regular season in 1961 when the Vikings entered the NFL. The Packers and Vikings have split their two postseason meetings.

Here are the keys to victory for Sunday’s game in Minnesota:

Packers Keys to Victory vs Vikings, Number One: Contain Justin Jefferson

Justin Jefferson gives the Vikings an elite receiver. He managed to gain more than 1,000 yards last season despite the vey weak quarterback play the Vikings endured all season. Now he has a better quarterback in Kyler Murray.

The Packers have a new starting cornerback in rookie Brandon Cisse, and the Vikings will be sure to test him and Keisean Nixon early. Expect the Packers to shade safety Xavier McKinney to Jefferson’s side as often as possible as the team tries to contain the always dangerous receiver.

While Jefferson will likely get his share of catches, the Packers hope to prevent him from making game-changing plays that can quickly turn the momentum of this contest.

The other starting wideout, Jordan Addison, gives the Vikings a strong alternative target to Jefferson who the Packers will have to be aware of.

Containing the Vikings passing attack will be crucial for the Green Bay defense in this game.

Number Two: Read the Blitzes of Brian Flores and Protect Jordan Love

The Packers offensive line enters this game as a major question mark. Earlier this week, head coach Matt LaFleur indicated he was still uncertain if starting right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and starting left guard Aaron Banks would be able to play and if they do play, whether they could play the entire game. Wednesday, Bako-Bewele said he believes he can play the full game, but we’ll see how he fares on the field.

The Packers are already starting an inexperienced right guard in Jacob Monk and left tackle Jordan Morgan becomes the preferred starter at that position for the first time in his NFL career.

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves to line up eight players at the line of scrimmage and make the offense guess which four or five are rushing the passer and who’s dropping back into coverage. If he can create confusion, it would give the defense an advantage off the snap of the ball.

Running back Chris Brooks may see an extended number of plays since he is the team’s best pass blocking running back. LaFleur could also go to more short passes with quicker releases to neutralize the Vikings pass rush. This could mean more targets for tight ends Tucker Kraft and Jonnu Smith.

When Jordan Love has a clean pocket, he has been one of the top rating quarterbacks in the NFL. The offensive line will face a big challenge against Flores and his defense, but Love has seen it before and the chess match between Flores and LaFleur in play calling always makes for an interesting matchup within Packers-Vikings games.

Packers Keys to Victory vs Vikings, Number Three: Keep the Offense Balanced

The Packers passing attack seems set to have a big season, but the running game is full of questions. They are almost certainly going to be without Josh Jacobs as he remains on the commissioner’s exempt list.

The Packers passing attack relies on play action passes and that means the Pack needs to at least run the ball often enough to keep the Vikings defense honest.

Look for a running back by committee approach with MarShawn Lloyd, newcomer Kaleb Johnson and Brooks to split the carries.

The Vikings run defense ranked 11th in the NFL in yards allowed and eighth in average yards per carry in 2025. We’ll see how much emphasis LaFleur places on the running game and how effective the revamped Green Bay offensive line will be at opening holes for the backs.

Number Four: Get Pressure on the Vikings Quarterback

New Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon was the head coach in Arizona last year and Murray was his quarterback. He knows what Murray likes and dislikes and hopefully will be able to put that knowledge to good use.

Murray gives the Vikings a mobile quarterback so the Packers will have to keep an eye on him and prevent him from converting first downs with his legs.

Since the Packers will be without Micah Parsons, look for Gannon to use a variety of blitzes and pass rush schemes against Minnesota. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper should be a bigger part of the pass rush this season. Don’t be surprised if cornerbacks or slot corners are blitzing occasionally as well.

This will be a big test for Lukas Van Ness who the team will be relying not lead the pass rush until Parsons returns.

Packers Keys to Victory vs Vikings, Number Five: Exploit the Vikings Corners

The Vikings secondary ranked second in the NFL last season in passing yards allowed and they got back veteran safety Harrison Smith last week after he came out of retirement.

At cornerback, the Vikings will likely start Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy, Jr on the boundary. Look for the Packers to try to create some mismatches with their starting trio of Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, and Jayden Reed.

If Love gets time to throw, the Packers receivers should have an edge against the Minnesota corners.

Number Six: Win the Special Teams Battle

The Packers special teams looked revitalized in the preseason under Cam Achord. Now it’s time to see if that can carry over to the regular season. Special teams cost the Packers at least three wins during the 2025 regular season and another in the playoffs.

Can rookie kicker Trey Smack continue his strong preseason play inside the dome in Minnesota? Will Skyy Moore help improve the return game as the team’s primary punt and kick returner? Can the Packers coverage teams be better this year? And will Daniel Whelan continue his strong punting?

If the Packers win the special teams battle, or at least if the special teams unit doesn’t hurt them, they have a much better chance to win this game.

Prediction:

The Packers are vulnerable along the offensive line, so LaFleur’s ability to limit the pass rush will be critical.

Minnesota would love nothing more than to start this season with a win against their division rivals. The Packers lost their last five games last season (including playoffs) and need to end that slump to get this season off on the right foot.

Gannon’s knowledge of Murray will help the Packers. They will find a way to win the season opener, but it will be close.

 

Packers 27, Vikings 24

 

 

 

 

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