Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 1 vs. Vikings

The Green Bay Packers will attempt to get to 1-0 to start the 2022 season when they take on the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. in Minneapolis.

Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the season opener against the Vikings will go down:

Zach Kruse (0-0): Packers 21, Vikings 17

A few guesses here: The Packers will likely struggle on offense early, but the defense will create a turnover (or two) to produce a few easy scoring opportunities that help get Aaron Rodgers going. I think this turns out to be more of a defensive battle than many are probably expecting, especially after last year’s track meet. There are (many) unknowns for the Packers offensive line, the passing game may need time to get on the same page and the crowd noise always plays a factor. But the Packers defense is legit, and I think the disruption of the pass-rush keeps the Vikings on the ropes from start to finish. It’s eventually enough to escape U.S. Bank Stadium with a hard-fought Week 1 victory. A more specific prediction: A strip-sack from Rashan Gary finishes the deal late in the fourth quarter.

Brandon Carwile (0-0): Vikings 20, Packers 17

Not having David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins is obviously not good. The Vikings have a talented pass rush and the Packers offense is going to need some time to figure things out. I think Green Bay’s defense will keep them in this game. However, the offenses’ inability to sustain drives will ultimately seal their fate. The Packers started last season off with a 35-point loss and were just fine. This game hopefully won’t be as bad, but Minnesota is a tough opponent coming for the NFC North crown.

Paul Bretl (0-0): Vikings 24, Packers 20

Ultimately, I think there is too much for this Packers offense to overcome. A difficult road environment, a stout Vikings defensive front, no David Bakhtiari or Elgton Jenkins, and a receiving corps with big question marks – especially without Allen Lazard. We saw the Packers makeshift offensive line from a season ago hold its own, but as a whole, the offense wasn’t nearly as effective as they had been in 2020 and that was with Davante Adams. The Packers defense will be tested by a Minnesota offense with playmakers and a quarterback-friendly offense, but slowing this unit begins with a strong push from the interior defensive line group. In addition to the offense, I have concerns about special teams and the edge rusher depth. I expect it to be a lower scoring game but the Vikings offense will make a few more plays than the Packers.

Brennen Rupp (0-0): Packers 27, Vikings 17

There is a lot of unknown surrounding this game. How will Minnesota’s offense look under first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell? Who will be the go to guy for Aaron Rodgers? How much playing time will the rookie wide receivers for Green Bay get? The one thing we do know is Green Bay has one of the best to ever do it under center. I’m taking the “known” and going with the Packers to pick up the road victory against the Vikings.

Story originally appeared on Packers Wire