The 2022 NFL season is back. On Sunday the Green Bay Packers take on the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium. This will be the first matchup between the two NFC North division rivals to start the season. Green Bay is picked to win the NFC North in 2022.
Packers vs. Vikings History
In the modern era the Minnesota Vikings are said to be the biggest challenger for the Green Bay Packers. The rivalry between the two teams began back in 1961. The last time that the Packers won at U.S. Bank Stadium was in 2015. Aaron Rodgers is 16-10-1 in his career against the Vikings. Both teams split wins last season.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67399748/usa_today_14926876.0.jpg "Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings: Week 1 Preview 2")
Packers Offense
In 2021 the Packers seemed to start slow on offense. Now the team is without Davante Adams, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling at the wide receiver position. There are only a couple of veteran receivers that will have to fill the shoes for Green Bay if Allen Lazard cannot play in Week 1.
With Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb on the field, there are also some young faces that will see action on Sunday including Samori Toure, Romeo Doubs, and possibly Christian Watson. The running game could have an impact for the Packers with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Offensive line play with David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins should help push the run game in the right direction.
In recent news, Sammy Watkins may be the new WR1 if Allen Lazard does not come back from injury before Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers has called Allen Lazard a WR1 all year. If Lazard (ankle) can't go, then Sammy Watkins could be the No. 1 option.
Watkins sounds ready: “I’ve never been this sharp. Just to be this sharp, it feels good to go out there and play freely and play fast."
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 7, 2022
Aaron Rodgers will have his TE Robert Tonyan to throw to as well.
Vikings Defense
The Minnesota Vikings have hired a new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. The Vikings will be running a new 3-4 scheme with Danielle Hunter, and former Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith on the defensive line. The secondary still has veterans Harrison Smith and Patrick Peterson dropping back in coverage.
Not only has the scheme changed, but the veteran players are who the Green Bay Packers will have to look out for. The Minnesota Vikings defense allowed 383.6 YPG last season and 25.1 PPG.
Packers Defense
The Green Bay Packers are bringing back defensive coordinator Joe Barry who spent his first season with the Packers last year. The defense should be strong this season adding rookies Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt at linebacker. With pass rushers Preston Smith and Rashan Gary applying pressure to Kirk Cousins and other opposing quarterbacks in 2022. De’vondre Campbell will be the signal caller on defense once again. The secondary is returning Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Adrian Amos, and Darnell Savage. Hopefully the Packers can stay healthy throughout the season. Last year the defense ranked 9th in the NFL allowing 321.7 YPG.
Special Teams will also be crucial for the Green Bay Packers after what may have been one of the worse units in the league last year.
Vikings Offense
The Vikings have a new head coach Kevin O’Connell. He was the offensive coordinator for the LA Rams in 2021. O’Connell led Los Angeles to a Super Bowl victory in which they averaged 27.1 PPG.
The new head coach has hired his own offensive coordinator Wes Phillips. It will be his first time as a coordinator in the NFL. He has a young offensive mind, that no one has seen yet this season. The Green Bay Packers will have to defend against new wrinkles as veterans Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen are still in charge of the offensive production.
Adjustments will have to be made during the game depending on the type of play calling on Sunday. More passing plays may be put into the game. So the Packers pass defense will have to be ready.
Packers vs. Vikings Last Meeting
Last season the Packers beat the Vikings 37-10 in the last meeting as Aaron Rodgers went 29-38 for 288 yards and two touchdowns.
A lot of eyes will be on this matchup. The start of a new era for the Vikings, and a hopeful continuous winning season for the Packers on the path to another Super Bowl appearance. The Packers can come out victorious, but it will not be given to them.
The Green Bay Packers head to U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, September 11th at 4:25 pm ET.
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