Packers vs. Vikings Week 1 Betting: Can Rodgers Be Effective Without Adams?

The Minnesota Vikings will host their rival, the Green Bay Packers, on Sunday with one thing in mind: Make Rodgers’ life more difficult than it already is.

The Packers had the best regular season record in the NFC last season, but they could not capitalize on the opportunity. In their first playoff game, they were outmatched in a defensive showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.

Green Bay now has even more questions, as their receiving corps looks thin. They lost DaVante Adams to free agency, so the #1 target for the passing offense is no longer present.

The Vikings are close behind the Packers this season, and according to BetOnline, they are almost dead even in the odds for their Week 1 matchup.

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Week 1 Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Green Bay Packers (0-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (0-0)
• Venue & Location: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
• Date: Sunday, September 11, 2022
• Game Time: 4:25 p.m. Eastern Time
• Packers vs. Vikings TV Info: FOX

Patriots vs. Dolphins Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Green Bay Packers -1.5 (-115)
• Minnesota Vikings +1.5 (-105)

Over/Under

• Over 47.5 (-105)
• Under 47.5 (-115)

Moneyline

• Green Bay Packers -120
• Minnesota Vikings +102

Quarterback Comparison

Aaron Rodgers, two-time defending NFL MVP, passed for 4,115 yards last season and he added 37 touchdowns. However, 11 of those TDs were to his ex-receiver, Davante Adams.

Rodgers will have a younger group of receivers to work with. Allen Lazard and Sammy Watkins will lead the charge with veteran Randall Cobb.

For the Vikings, Kirk Cousins had a very underrated performance in 2021. He passed for 4,221 yards and 33 touchdowns. His receivers are more established with Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson.

Both teams struggled in the running game last year, so all eyes will be on the quarterback battle. These rivals will meet twice this season, but an early season matchup may be a best-case scenario for the Vikings.

Aaron Rodgers doesn’t know how his passing attack will look yet, and he was having issues with the young receivers in training camp. The advantage almost has to go to Minnesota and Kirk Cousins.

Packers vs. Vikings Betting Trends

• Minnesota is 5-4-1 in their last 10 games against Green Bay
• Green Bay is 13-7 in their last 20 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota’s last 8 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of the last 5 games between the two
• Minnesota is 8-3 in their last 11 games against NFC North opponents
• Green Bay is 15-3 in their last 18 games against NFC North opponents

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction and Picks

Packers vs. Vikings Prediction: Vikings 21, Packers 20

Packers vs. Vikings Picks: Minnesota Vikings ML (+105 at BetUS and Bovada Sportsbook)

I have very little faith in the Green Bay Packers this season. With a weaker rushing attack in 2021, and the loss of Adams, what will Rodgers do? He has very little help on the outside, and the dynamic nature of the offense seems to be gone.

Kirk Cousins is a very underrated quarterback. He has the ability to lead an offense and limit turnovers. With the development of the offense, and a healthy Dalvin Cook in the backfield, Minnesota is looking strong.

This will be a close game, and it could come down to fundamentals and limiting mistakes. The coaches will have to be careful in what will most likely be a one-possession game.

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