One of the NFL’s biggest rivalries gets an interesting new chapter Sunday.
The Green Bay Packers travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings, with Kyler Murray making his first start in purple.
And this could be our first look at a very dangerous Minnesota offense.
Packers Resume Check
Green Bay enters with legitimate expectations behind Jordan Love, but the Packers will be missing two massive pieces.
Micah Parsons is unavailable as he continues recovering from his torn ACL, while Josh Jacobs remains on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
That’s a huge deal against a Minnesota team that wants to attack Green Bay in multiple ways.
Love also has to deal with Brian Flores’ defense, which ranked third in total defense last season and finished tied for fourth with 49 sacks.
Vikings Resume Check
Everything revolves around Kyler Murray and Justin Jefferson.
Murray officially won Minnesota’s starting job and now gets Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson around him. His mobility also adds an element Kevin O’Connell hasn’t really had at quarterback.
Jefferson is the matchup I’m watching.
Green Bay still has questions at cornerback, and without Parsons creating pressure up front, Murray could have enough time to let Jefferson create explosive plays downfield.
How Green Bay Wins
Jordan Love has to beat the blitz.
Flores will disguise pressure constantly and try to make Love uncomfortable. If Love diagnoses it quickly and creates explosive plays against Minnesota’s secondary, Green Bay can absolutely win this game.
How Minnesota Wins
Let Murray create.
Green Bay has to contain his legs while simultaneously worrying about Jefferson, which could create matchup problems all afternoon.
Minnesota also needs its defense to take advantage of Green Bay playing without Jacobs and force Love to carry the offense.
Prediction
Green Bay might ultimately be the better team this season.
But for this matchup, I like Minnesota.
Murray makes a couple of huge plays outside the pocket, Jefferson has a big afternoon and the Vikings defense gets enough pressure on Love late.
Vikings 27, Packers 24.
