Okay, so as sports fans, we all know that it is very easy to get carried away and make some bold claims about our favorite teams and what we expect them to be able to achieve in the coming season. With the scheduled released a little while ago, let’s look into the Packers vs Vikings in week one to be played at the U.S. Bank Stadium.

Two-time Super Bowl Champion has his say

It has to be okay now since a two-time Super Bowl Champion has already given his take on what he believes will happen when the two organizations meet in the season opener for these two NFC North franchises.

Speaking on CBS Sports HQ, Bryant McFadden believes that the Vikings have the upper hand on the Packers coming into this season despite the fact that Green Bay has two running backs that managed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark and a four-time MVP in Aaron Rodgers. Admittedly he did lose a couple of weapons from his wide receiver corp, with Devante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling both departing Lambeau Field.

Here is what the former Pittsburgh Steeler had to say: “I think when you look at the roster, when you look at the schemes on both sides of the football–the experience in key positions–this is a team that’s set up nicely to get at least 10 wins. And I’ll say this also, even though you didn’t ask me. I’m giving you my opinion. I believe the Minnesota Vikings will win the division this season.”

Of course, it is perhaps rather easy to understand why he said what he had said, especially following the key departures to have been experienced in Wisconsin in the offseason.

Will people be writing off the Packers?

As the famous saying goes, you only write someone off at your own peril. The Green Bay Packers are certainly not going to make it easy for the Vikings in the upcoming season, and there is every reason why fans will be excited about what is to come in the upcoming campaign.

As we know, there have been a number of moves to have taken place, and whilst the departures mentioned could end up being rather costly, it is not like the organization has been sitting on its laurels. The fans simply would not let them if they were to do so, especially as Rodgers has complained about the weapons that he has.

The Packers have managed to add Sammy Watkins and Jarran Reed via free agency, whilst also adding significant help in the NFL Draft that could have a potentially immediate impact on the team. Moreover, the team has also managed to get Jaire Alexander to sign a new contract that has made him the league’s best-paid defensive back as he earns a base salary of around $21 million per year.

With this in mind, there will be a number of fans that will still be of the opinion that their team has what it takes to have a successful season and even continue to challenge for the Super Bowl; a popular bet that some fans will likely look to make no doubt.

Indeed, with the best football betting sites continuing to provide bettors with the opportunity to take advantage of competitive NFL odds, there will be many punters who will be very interested to see what the sportsbooks are offering as a price for the Lambeau Field organization to go all the way and win the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Naturally, while there may be some that will be potentially looking to back their team from Week 1 when it comes down to placing a wager on them, as we mentioned, there will be many that will be looking at the game against the Vikings at the U.S. Bank Stadium already and trying to predict what might happen.

Week 1: Packers vs Vikings

So, what do we think will happen when these two teams clash?

Of course, it is still very early days to really know what to expect, as both teams have undergone significant changes in the offseason. Both teams will have a new look in some shape or form, with both organizations welcoming new players and losing key individuals, too.

Going back to what McFadden had said, is he right? Are the Vikings best positioned to win the NFC North? Does this mean that they will be able to overcome the Packers on Week 1 in the season opener for these two teams?

Three straight NFC North division titles for the @Packers!

Green Bay is playoff-bound. #NFLPlayoffs #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/bOwOAyC7AN

— NFL (@NFL) December 20, 2021

There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, but what we can expect is that the Packers will be more than up for the contest. It is an NFC North divisional contest after all. Every team wants to start off on the right foot as they harbor dreams of being able to win the Super Bowl that year. Let’s not forget that the Packers ended the season top with a 13-4 record, whereas the Vikings only managed 8-9 as they finished second.
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The only real problem that Rodgers and co might have is the fact that they lost two crucial offensive weapons in the offseason in Adams and Valdez-Scantling. If Watkins can bring his best to the team from the get-go, then perhaps the NFL veteran will be able to be a weapon that Rodgers can rely on this year.

Final Thoughts

There is no denying that the Vikings are an improved team heading into this season, which will only make the Week 1 encounter all the more difficult to win, however, the Green Bay Packers certainly have the talent and the ability to be able to get over the line and take home the win. At this moment, all we can do is wait, but there is nothing stopping us from shouting out “Go, Pack, Go!” at the top of our lungs, is there?