NFL Game Preview: Green Bay Packers (0-0-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (0-0-0)

0
3
Minnesota Vikings logo

U.S. Bank Stadium | Referee: Shawn Hochuli

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 PM ET

CBS: Jim Nantz, JJ Watt, Tracy Wolfson (field reporter)

Regular Season: GB leads series, 66-60-3 (MIN won 3 of past 4)

Last meeting: 1/4/26: GB 3 at MIN 16

Matt LaFleur (GB) vs. Opp. (incl. postseason): 7-7 Reg. Season: 76-40-1 (.654)

Kevin O’Connell (MIN) vs. Opp. (incl. postseason): 5-3 Reg. Season: 43-25 (.632)

PACKERS NOTES

• QB JORDAN LOVE totaled 3,381 pass yards & 23 TD passes in 2025 & ranked 6th with 101.2 rating. Had TD pass in 7 of his 8 road games last season & has TD pass in 4 of his last 5 vs. Min. • RB MARSHAWN LLOYD has appeared in 1 career game in 2024 & can make 1st appearance since. • WR CHRISTIAN WATSON recorded 35 receptions for 611 yards & 6 TDs in 10 games in 2025. Since 2022, ranks 2nd among qualified players with 17.0 yards per catch. • WR JAYDEN REED had 19 receptions for 207 yards & TD catch in 7 games in 2025. Has recorded 1,857 rec. yards & 15 TD receptions since 2023. • TE TUCKER KRAFT recorded 489 receiving yards & 6 TDs in 8 games last season. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Min. with 50+ rec. yards & 3rd in row on road with TD catch. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 125 tackles, 2 sacks, 7 TFL, FF & 5 PD in 2025, his 4th consecutive season with 125+ tackles. Is 1 of 3 LBs (Bobby Wagner, Roquan Smith) with active streak of 125+ tackles in 4+ seasons. • DT JAVON HARGRAVE had 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 4 TFL, FF & FR in 2025. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER recorded career-high 117 tackles in 2025 & had 4 TFL, 2 FF & FR. Had 8+ tackles in 4 of his last 5 games last season. Has TFL in 2 of his last 3 vs. Min. • LB ISAIAH MCDUFFIE had 80 tackles, sack, 3 TFL, PD & INT in 2025. • LB LUKAS VAN NESS has 81 tackles, 17 TFL, FF & FR in 43 career games. • CB KEISEAN NIXON finished tied-6th with career-high 17 PD in 2025. • S XAVIER MCKINNEY recorded 102 tackles, FF, 2 INT & 10 PD last season. Had PD in 2 of his last 3 in 2025. • S EVAN WILLIAMS recorded career high 89 tackles, 4 TFL, FR & 3 INT in 2025. Had INT in Week 12 meeting last season.

VIKINGS NOTES

• QB KYLER MURRAY can make Min. debut. Has 20,460 pass yards & 121 TD passes in 87 career games. Ranks 4th among QBs since 2019 with 3,193 rush yards. • RB AARON JONES had 8,016 scrimmage yards (5,940 rush, 2,076 rec.) & 63 TDs (45 rush, 18 rec.) in 7 seasons with GB (2017-23). Ranks 7th since 2017 with 9,875 scrimmage yards (7,178 rush, 2,661 rec.). Aims for 4th in row vs. GB with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON recorded 1,048 rec. yards in 2025, his 6th consecutive season with 1,000+ rec. yard. Can join Mike Evans as only players with 1,000+ rec. yards in each of their 1st 7 career seasons. Has 579 career receptions for 8,480 rec. yards, both most by player in his 1st 6 seasons in NFL history. Had 8 catches for 101 yards in last meeting & has 85+ rec. yards in 3 of his last 4 vs. GB. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON ranks 4th among TEs since 2019 with 4,440 rec. yards & 5th with 433 receptions. Has 65+ rec. yards in 2 of his last 3 vs. GB. • DL JALEN REDMOND had career-high 6 sacks & 5 PD in 2025. • DL CALEB BANKS can make NFL debut after being selected 18th overall in 2026 NFL Draft. • LB BLAKE CASHMAN had career-high 144 tackles in 2025. Was 1 of 2 (Devin White) to record 4 games with 15+ tackles last season. Has 10+ tackles & TFL in 3 of his last 4 vs. GB. • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL had 7 sacks, 11 TFL, career-high 10 PD in 2025. Aims for 3rd in row vs. GB with TFL & PD. • CB BYRON MURPHY had 71 tackles, 7 PD & 2 INTs in 2025. Has PD in 3 of his last 4 vs. GB. • S JOSH METELLUS had 86 tackles, 6 PD & 2 INTs in 2025. Aims for 5th season in row with INT. Had 12 tackles in last meeting.

Game Odds

Green Bay Packers          46

Minnesota Vikings          – 1

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, September 12, 2026

Previous articleNFL Game Preview: Miami Dolphins (0-0-0) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (0-0-0)
Next articleNFL Game Preview: Washington Commanders (0-0-0) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (0-0-0)
NFL Editor
Profile: A dedicated NFL analyst with a deep understanding of the league’s strategic, cultural, and statistical landscape. This columnist provides weekly coverage that blends film‑study insight, advanced metrics, and league‑wide context, offering readers a clear view of how teams evolve across a long and demanding season. Background: With extensive experience covering professional football, the columnist has contributed to national sports platforms, digital media outlets, and radio segments focused on team dynamics, coaching trends, and roster construction. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a methodical approach to evaluating performance, breaking news, and long‑term organizational strategy. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive schemes Player evaluation, draft analysis, and free‑agency movement League trends, coaching philosophies, and historical context Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both casual fans and seasoned bettors. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful analysis, and a comprehensive understanding of the NFL’s fast‑shifting landscape.