The Green Bay Packers look to continue their stranglehold on the NFC North as they open the season on the road against the only division rival that can claim memorable victories against them when they meet the Minnesota Vikings Sunday. Kickoff at US Bank Stadium is at 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Packers vs. Vikings odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
The Packers have run roughshod over the lesser teams of the NFC North for the better part of 2 decades. The lone exception has been the Vikings. Minnesota always gives the Packers a fight and takes away their fair share of wins. The teams split 2 games last season and the all-time series is 55-55-3.
The Packers are the slightest of favorites (1.5 points), but there is a good reason why. The Packers offensive line is dinged already and one has to question who QB Aaron Rodgers will recognize among his receiver corps … much less in the deafening din of the House of Skol that will make audibles almost impossible.
The Vikings are coming in with a veteran-laden team with Pro Bowl talent on both sides of the ball rejuvenated by the arrival of new coach Kevin O’Connell. Enthusiasm is 1 thing, but what hasn’t been talked about is that, for first time in the 62-year history of the franchise, the Vikings are going to be operating a 3-4 defense that Rodgers has never equated with the Vikings personnel.
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Packers at Vikings odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:35 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Packers -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Vikings -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Packers -0.5 (-115) | Vikings +0.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 46.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Packers at Vikings key injuries
Packers
- OT David Bakhtiari (knee) questionable
- OL Elgton Jenkins (pectoral/knee) questionable
- WR Allen Lazard (ankle) doubtful
Vikings
- DL Jonathan Bullard (biceps) questionable
- CB Lewis Cine (knee) questionable
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Vikings at Packers picks and predictions
Prediction
Vikings 27, Packers 24
Money line
TAKE THE VIKINGS (-105).
The big headline has been that Rodgers is without WR Davante Adams, who was traded to Las Vegas shortly after Rodgers agreed to $50 million a year. The veteran QB is also without WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Kansas City) and, to a lesser extent, Equanimeous “Buy a Vowel” St. Brown (Chicago). Those were guys Rodgers worked with for years. Add in Lazard missing reps with an ankle injury, and the familiarity Rodgers has his with his wideout crew will be somewhat off.
In most instances, when an organization fires a head coach and general manager, it equates to a roster implosion. That’s not the case in Minnesota. The implosion is coming, especially on defense, but it isn’t here yet. Anybody resembling a starter was given the preseason off to work on implementing new schemes. These guys all know each other as remnants of the Rick Spielman/Mike Zimmer toxic relationship.
Will it hold up for an entire season? Probably not. But for 1 game with Rodgers as vulnerable as he’s been in a long time with his backup band? Yup.
Against the spread
HARD PASS
Why lay a half point at -105 when we can get the money line at -105?
Over/Under
OVER 46.5 (-110)
One of Rodgers’ greatest skills is locating a defender who shouldn’t be on the field and targeting that guy over and over again — veteran QB waterboarding. The Vikings have a couple of those guys. Although his receivers are either raw or on the very (very) backsides of their careers, Rodgers can throw enough 7-yard darts on 3rd-and-6 to put points up.
The Vikings are going to keep throwing and try to press the issue, which leads to each team having a couple of more offensive series than in a typical game. Both teams will go for the throat if they’re ahead and don’t care about the clock.
That’s a sweet recipe to hit the Over because, while the prediction is cautious, 1 of these teams is likely to score 30 or more. Doesn’t take much to hit 46.5 if that happens.
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More NFL Week 1 coverage
- Experts: ML, ATS and OU predictions
- Best picks: Underdogs | 5 player props | Survivor
- Bet Slippin’ podcast with guest Minty Bets of Yahoo! Sports
- Updated fantasy football rankings (PPR scoring)
- Super Bowl LVII odds
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