Week 1 in the NFL, baby! We’ve got bitter NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, kicking off their 2026 regular seasons, and it’s already got some wild storylines. All eyes are on U.S. Bank Stadium this Sunday, Sept. 13, because Kyler Murray is making his much-anticipated debut as Minnesota’s No. 1 quarterback, but a proven projection model is throwing a serious curveball at what we might expect from the game.
NFC North Rivalry Heats Up, But Who’s Really Ready?
This isn’t just any game, folks. These two clubs absolutely despise each other, and you know they’re both itching to start the 2026 season with a win against a divisional foe. The Packers limped to a 9-7-1 record last year, finishing second in the division. Meanwhile, the Vikings closed out their 2025 campaign on a tear, ripping off a five-game winning streak to finish 9-8. Green Bay holds the all-time series lead with a 67-61-3 record, but let’s be real, recent history is what matters most, and Minnesota has snatched three of the last four meetings. They’ve got the momentum, but Week 1 is a whole different beast.
Offenses Stalling Before They Even Start
Here’s where it gets wild: The SportsLine projection model, which is crushing it with top-rated NFL picks and is up over $7,000 for $100 players since it started, is predicting the total points scored in this game to go **Under 46.5**. That’s a big statement for a Week 1 game with a new QB making his debut! Why the low score? The model points to both offenses looking “so-so” in the preseason, definitely not hitting their stride.
And then there are the injuries, especially for the Packers. They’re going to be slowed down early, and it’s a huge blow. Tight end Tucker Kraft is working his way back from a torn ACL, which is tough. Even worse, pass-rushing specialist Micah Parsons is out. He tore his ACL too and is expected to miss at least four weeks. On the Vikings’ side, Kyler Murray’s injury history is a real concern; he only played five games last year for the Arizona Cardinals due to injury, throwing for a career-low 962 yards on just 110 attempts. Are we really supposed to expect fireworks from these teams right out of the gate?
Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. ET. Minnesota is a slim 1.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 46.5 points. With so many offensive question marks and key injuries impacting both sides, this Week 1 NFC North clash is shaping up to be a grind. Will Kyler Murray prove the model wrong, or are we in for a defensive showdown? You definitely don’t want to miss how these bitter rivals kick off their 2026 seasons.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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