Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers will not have their two offensive tackles to block Za'Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter on Sunday at the Vikings.

I think he’s really taken that to heart the last year or so, and it’s really improved a lot. “I know he’s going to go out there and battle, whether it’s at guard or tackle, and we’ve got a lot of confidence in him.” Bakhtiari was inactive for the playoffs and had a third surgery after the season. “He’s excelled in the run game, and then pass protection was kind of a thing that he always needed to work on. Those three played a lot in the preseason and did OK. Hunter had 29 sacks in 2018 and 2019 and six in just seven games in 2021.

WR Allen Lazard, OT David Bakhtiari and OL Elgton Jenkins will miss the game with injuries.

The only player on that list who is not a healthy scratch is Cine, the 2022 first-round pick. Abernathy, who was signed by Green Bay in August, will play in his first NFL regular season game after stints with four NFL squads, the [XFL](https://www.sbnation.com/xfl-football) and the USFL. [each of these players were out-snapped in the preseason](https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2022/8/26/23322942/green-bay-packers-snap-counts-preseason-kansas-city-chiefs-week-3-tyler-goodson-patrick-taylor-nfl) by players who are now on the practice squad. [The Packers announced on Saturday that receiver Juwann Winfree and safety Micah Abernathy have been elevated to the active roster](https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/) for the game, as the team has the option to call up two practice squadders for game action each week. [NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported](https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2022/9/11/23347125/green-bay-packers-injury-report-update-david-bakhtiari-elgton-jenkins-minnesota-vikings-week-1) that the assumption was that the trio would not go on Sunday. Nijman and Hanson are the players who are expected to be promoted from backup roles to starting roles with today’s news.

Minnesota started at its own 15 after Pat O'Donnell's 47-yard punt was fair caught by Jalen Raegor. Quay Walker got his third tackle of the game when he dropped ...

On the play, Gary lined up inside of [Preston Smith](/team/players-roster/preston-smith/) on the left side. [Aaron Jones](/team/players-roster/aaron-jones/) picked up a first down with a 10-yard carry but the Packers punted after a third-and-6 pass to [Romeo Doubs](/team/players-roster/romeo-doubs/) fell incomplete. Dillon punched in the 2-yard touchdown following a 9-yard pass to Doubs that set up first-and-goal. Dillon was stopped short of the end zone on a 6-yard pass on third-and-7. Rookie second-round pick [Christian Watson](/team/players-roster/christian-watson/) started at receiver and beat Patrick Peterson off the line of scrimmage on his first NFL snap but couldn't hold onto the deep pass from [Aaron Rodgers](/team/players-roster/aaron-rodgers/). Green Bay used both a 3-4 base and 4-3 base defense on early downs during the series, bringing in

The Green Bay Packers are facing some big challenges as they kick off the 2022 NFL season at the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Follow along for updates.

With a work-in-progress offense, the Packers can’t afford to leave points on the field. It’s hard to believe the Packers would have allowed five sacks in a five-point loss to Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship Game had Bakhtiari been at left tackle, Billy Turner at right tackle and Rick Wagner on the bench. Last season, the Packers fell to 19th with a red-zone touchdown rate of 58.6 percent. The Packers have three drops; the Vikings have three incompletions. Get the opposition to third-and-long and force the quarterback to make a play against Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas before Rashan Gary and Preston Smith arrive on the scene. The Packers were 1.5-point favorites at the start of the day. The offense scored points by the bushel and the defense’s job was to get just enough stops. He might have lost some of his escape-ability, but he’s got a wicked arm, incredible accuracy and the IQ and experience to outwit every defensive coordinator on earth. Cousins was 7-of-8 for 73 yards on the drive, with three completions to 47 yards to Jefferson. The Packers have a pulse. The Packers got one first down but Rodgers and rookie Romeo Doubs weren’t on the same page on third-and-7. Jefferson caught the ball at the 19 and retreated to the 20 upon the catch; he must have been stunned that there wasn’t a Packers defender within a 150-mile radius of U.S.

Published: Sep. 11, 2022, 9:13 a.m.. Kirk Cousins. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up before a preseason NFL football ...

[DirecTV Stream](https://www.directv.com/stream/sports/), [FuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/football/?bgvideo=nfl.mp4&title=Live%20Football.%20Stream%20and%20DVR.&priceline=*Regional%20and%20mobile%20restrictions%20apply&cta=Get%207-Day%20Free%20Trial%20Now&irad=356362&irmp=1810040&subId3=xid:fr1660040391777djd xid:fr1662631943468cec), [Sling](https://www.sling.com/programming/sports/pro-football) [Check out the NFL standings and results on NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/standings/) Dating back to their first meeting in 1961, the two teams have faced off 123 times, with Green Bay holding a 64-56-3 record over Minnesota, with wins coming in four of the last six matchups. With former Los Angeles Rams assistant Kevin O’Connell becoming a first-year head coach with the Vikings. We will get to see how good Rodgers is, with many wondering if the Packers are good enough to not just make it back to the divisional round, but whether or not they are going to collapse and fail to win a fourth-straight division title. O’Connell was Cousin’s quarterback coach back in his time with Washington, and is expected to help bolster the offense that was inconsistent throughout the past couple of seasons.

The Green Bay Packers will meet the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 of the NFL season on Sunday afternoon from U.S. Bank Stadium.

[fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/football/?bgvideo=nfl.mp4&title=Live%20Football.%20Stream%20and%20DVR.&priceline=*Regional%20and%20mobile%20restrictions%20apply&cta=Get%207-Day%20Free%20Trial%20Now&pack=latino-quarter&irad=356362&irmp=1205322)has complete local NFL coverage (CBS, FOX, ESPN), plus NFL Network and [NFL Network Redzone](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/stream-nfl/?title=Watch%20NFL%20RedZone%20from%20NFL%20Network&subinfo=SEE%20EVERY%20TOUCHDOWN%20FROM%20SUNDAY%20AFTERNOON&priceline=Stream%20it%20live%20from%20your%20TV,%20phone%20and%20other%20devices&bgvideo=nflredzone2019v3.mp4&pack=fubotv-basic&addons%5B%5D=deportes&cta=Start+Watching+Now&irad=667759&irmp=1205322). Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/football/?bgvideo=nfl.mp4&title=Live%20Football.%20Stream%20and%20DVR.&priceline=*Regional%20and%20mobile%20restrictions%20apply&cta=Get%207-Day%20Free%20Trial%20Now&pack=latino-quarter&irad=356362&irmp=1205322)is available on your phone, tablet, desktop, TV, and connected TV Devices including Roku. [Tipico](https://media.tipico.com/C.ashx?btag=a_93b_63c_how-to-watch&affid=47&siteid=93&adid=63&c=how-to-watch). [Sportsbookwire.com](https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/) [Tipico Sportsbook](https://media.tipico.com/C.ashx?btag=a_93b_63c_how-to-watch&affid=47&siteid=93&adid=63&c=how-to-watch). The Packers are coming off another great season under Matt LeFleur while picking up 13 wins as they look to NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to get them to the promised land this year. [watch for free](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/football/?bgvideo=nfl.mp4&title=Live%20Football.%20Stream%20and%20DVR.&priceline=*Regional%20and%20mobile%20restrictions%20apply&cta=Get%207-Day%20Free%20Trial%20Now&irad=356362&irmp=1205322&sharedid=seo&subID=SEO)) We recommend interesting sports viewing/streaming and betting opportunities. Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)

Here's a preview of Sunday's Week 1 Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings matchup, including predictions, key injuries, and how to watch.

The Vikings went out in style in Mike Zimmer’s final game as head coach, defeating the Chicago Bears 31-17 in Week 18. Green Bay holds the series edge, 64-56-3, but the clubs split last year, with each team winning their home contest. Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook are critical pieces of the offense, too, but Jefferson has a chance to record a historic season. Kirk Cousins could post more attempts than ever before in his career, and he might top 40 touchdowns if everything breaks right. [CAESARS TENNESSEE](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/recommends/caesars-tennessee/) [CAESARS INDIANA](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/recommends/caesars-indiana/) [CAESARS MICHIGAN](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/recommends/caesars-michigan/) [CAESARS COLORADO](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/recommends/caesars-colorado/) [CAESARS VIRGINIA](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/recommends/caesars-virginia/) The Packers’ defense has a chance to be elite. Dillon are the offense’s two best skill position players, so a run-heavy attack behind an excellent GB offensive line could be in store. While Rodgers has won back-to-back MVPs, he’s still seeking his first Super Bowl appearance since the 2010 campaign.

The Green Bay Packers head west to visit the rival Minnesota Vikings to start the season in a NFL Week 1 battle live on Fox.

A look at the NFL’s new streaming service](https://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/2022/08/how-to-watch-nfl-plus-what-is-it-what-does-the-nfl-streaming-service-cost-and-premium-plan-include-every-preseason-game-for-starters.html) • [](https://www.directv.com/) If you already have a cable provider, use your login information to sign in and watch on [Fox Sports Live](https://www.foxsports.com/live). [this Gesobyte brand HDTV antennae](https://www.amazon.com/LATEST-Amplified-Digital-Antenna-Miles/dp/B07XQLW1H7/?ots=1&slotNum=0&imprToken=b4c1829e-bbf8-5114-bd4&tag=advanceoregon-20&linkCode=w50) is currently the top selling HDTV antennae product on Amazon. If you need to get one, PT/4:25 p.m. When: Sunday, September 11 at 1:25 p.m. The Vikings have gone 1-5 in September over the past two seasons. The Green Bay Packers will begin their bid for a fourth consecutive division title when they travel to take on the Minnesota Vikings during NFL Week 1. The rivals are set to kick off on Sunday, September 11 at 1:25 p.m. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers enters as the two-time reigning NFL MVP and has a combined 13 touchdown passes without an interception in the past four meetings with Minnesota.

“He looks great,” Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said of Tonyan last week. “He's really gifted. He has great hands. He's a really intuitive route runner.

Minnesota outgained Green Bay, 262-100, and had 12 first downs to just six for the Packers. The ball hit Watson in stride at Minnesota’s 30-yard line and he had a clear path to the endzone. With the line revamped, Rodgers was sacked four times and knocked down several more. Minnesota ran for 126 yards on 28 carries and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. That came in the regular season finale against Detroit. Watson whipped cornerback Patrick Peterson and Rodgers delivered a perfect pass. Dillon also led the Packers with five receptions for 46 yards. 31, 2020 and has had three surgeries during his comeback attempt. The only starters LaFleur played in Green Bay’s preseason games were his starting offensive line and rookie linebacker Quay Walker. Dillon had 10 carries for 45 yards (4.5) and a touchdown. “I do think the majority of their guys, if you look at their roster, they’re in a similar spot as us. A year ago, the Packers were hammered by New Orleans, 38-3.

Green Bay can't dig out of a game-opening hole that featured a monster day by Justin Jefferson and dropped touchdown by rookie Christian Watson.

On an 11-yard end-around for Doubs in the third quarter, Rodgers got a chance to throw a block at his former teammate. Smith sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers on third down in the first quarter, and another pressure led to a sack for defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson in the second half. Perhaps his biggest play of the game came on fourth-and-goal in the first half. With a lack of veteran depth at the position, Rodgers will need to stay patient with his rookie receivers early this season. Given more touches, the Packers offense might’ve generated more production. The quarterback gave Doubs a pat on the back when they arrived at the sideline. On their first play, Rodgers aired out a deep ball down the right sideline to Watson. The second-round rookie blew past Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson off the line of scrimmage, and Rodgers dropped his pass perfectly to Watson. It’s how easy it was as the Packers often simply didn’t cover one of the NFL’s best receivers. The Vikings jumped on top with a 78-yard touchdown drive the first time they touched the football and didn’t trail again as Green Bay fell behind 17-0 at halftime. The Packers lost 23-7 before a SKOL-craved crowd of 66,959 at U.S. Instead, he kept Alexander on the right side of the field, with Eric Stokes on the left.

The Green Bay Packers opened the 2022 season visiting the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 11, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

In one of the bigger upsets of Week 1, the Minnesota Vikings toppled Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, 23-7.

MIN -1.5 All that equated to a game-high 90.4 coverage grade on first review. He hauled in nine of his 10 targets for 184 yards and two scores, with five of those catches going for 15-plus yards.

SportsLine's model simulated Green Bay vs. Minnesota 10000 times and made its Week 1 NFL picks.

Minnesota, on the other hand, has one of the best young wideouts in the NFL in [Justin Jefferson](/nfl/players/2871343/justin-jefferson/). [Za'Darius Smith](/nfl/players/2061139/zadarius-smith/) on defense. [AJ Dillon](/nfl/players/2867083/a-j-dillon/) led the team in rushing last season with 803 yards (Jones had 799 in 15 games). The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings, and the Vikings are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games on FieldTurf. Vikings](https://www.sportsline.com/nfl/game-forecast/NFL_20220911_GB@MIN/) matchup and just locked in its picks and NFL Week 1 predictions. [Davante Adams](/nfl/players/1893167/davante-adams/) since 2019, and running back [Aaron Jones](/nfl/players/2071937/aaron-jones/) averaged 112 total yards and scored 10 TDs in those games. [Visit SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Packers vs. Here are several [NFL odds](https://www.sportsline.com/nfl/odds/) and betting lines for Vikings vs. [You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/vikings-vs-packers-nfl-week-1-line-odd-predictions-proven-nfl-model-reveals-picks-for-sunday-afternoon-matchup/#ttag=09102022_agg_cbssports_picks_football_nfl_model_PackersVikings). [Minnesota Vikings](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/MIN/minnesota-vikings/) and [Green Bay Packers](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/GB/green-bay-packers/) will both be looking for an early leg up on the 2022 [NFL](/nfl) season when they face off on Sunday afternoon in Week 1. The Vikings had the fifth-worst pass defense in the NFL last season, allowing 253 passing yards per game. [NFL picks](/nfl/picks/experts) since its inception.

Packers rookie Christian Watson dropped what would have been a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the 2022 season.

The Packers punted four plays later. Nerves might have been the primary issue on the rookie’s first NFL snap. The Packers trail 7-0 in the first half.

Matt LaFleur fell on the sword for the Packers' Week 1 performance, but Aaron Rodgers preached patience after the Vikings' 23-7 win in Minnesota.

"This is two years in a row that we've come out and not looked prepared," LaFleur said. 18](https://www.nfl.com/games/bears-at-packers-2022-reg-2), when the Packers host the 1-0 Chicago Bears. While Adams was busy catching 10 passes for 141 yards and a score in his Raiders [debut](https://www.nfl.com/games/raiders-at-chargers-2022-reg-1), the Packers' wide receivers collectively totaled 12 catches for 120 yards, the vast majority of which came after falling behind by 17 points. "It's the mental stuff that we just can't have because we're hurting ourselves." I had a lot of opportunities to score a lot more than seven (points)." They were abysmal in that bizarre season opener a year ago against the Saints, losing 38-3 and amassing only 229 yards and 14 first downs -- far worse than today. "We had a lot of chances today," Rodgers said. Doing it last year was one thing; taking that approach with a unit that's makeup has changed markedly is quite another. Part of that understandably could be chalked up to the offensive line being quite beat up. "I feel like we did some good things. LaFleur has authored more on-point game plans than not in his mostly brilliant Packers career. "Obviously, it wasn't very good," LaFleur said.

After the Packers lost 23-7 to the Vikings in Week 1, Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers said his team had "too many mental mistakes."

[David Bakhtiari](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/15963/david-bakhtiari) and [Elgton Jenkins](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3115485/elgton-jenkins), who have not been cleared to return from knee surgeries. [AJ Dillon](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4239934/aj-dillon) in the second quarter. It couldn't stop Vikings receiver [Justin Jefferson](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4262921/justin-jefferson) (nine catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns). That throw, which [Harrison Smith](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14945/harrison-smith) picked off, ended Rodgers' streak of touchdowns without an interception against an NFC North foe at 38 -- the most consecutive touchdown passes without a pick in divisional games in NFL history. "There's a lot to build on when you compare the two. [Las Vegas Raiders](/nfl/team/_/name/lv/las-vegas-raiders), his new-look receiver group (which was missing presumed No. "We scored four more points than we did that day," Rodgers said with a smile. After Rodgers and Doubs appeared to miscommunicate on a third down midway through the first quarter, he wasn't targeted again until the third quarter. Hate to see it on the first play, but it's part of it -- there's going to be drops throughout the season." "Most of the time, it's a play I know I'm capable of making. After Watson's drop, he wasn't targeted again until late in the fourth quarter. It's the mental stuff that we just can't have because we're hurting ourselves.

On his first snap of his NFL game, Christian Watson beat coverage but dropped a certain 75-yard touchdown pass.

“I know what I am capable of and they know what I am capable of as well. It is just good to know that they are going to hold me to that standard as well. It’s just a play that I know I can make and going forward I am going to make that play every single time. In the NFL, those kinds of chances don’t come often and his teammates let him know he needs to make those. “Then as the game started going on, I started seeing correlation. The Packers hadn’t seen a big dose of the drops that many scouts knocked him for during his time at North Dakota State.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers once famously told fans and reporters to "relax" in regard to the Packers' perceived struggles. And to a large extent, ...

"It's the guys I trust the most and the guys the coaches trust the most. To be fair, Green Bay's receivers weren't the team's only issue Sunday. None of the Green Bay receivers were a factor. Green Bay just couldn't do that against the Vikings. Adding another mediocre free agent or swinging a trade for another team's cast-off is just re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Watkins and Cobb have big seasons on their professional resumes, but they are shells of the player they once were. Way before body positioning and movement and throw, and all that stuff, are you in the right spot at the right time? "A lot of drops, a lot of bad route decisions, running the wrong route. "We're going to play our best guys when the season starts. That was followed by the stunning trade that sent star wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. It was a continuation of a trend. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Everything was set up for Christian Watson to have a memorable debut for the Green Bay Packers. And he did, but not the way he wanted.

Me, personally, it’s good to get the first one out of the way and I am excited to continue to look forward.” “I thought Christian ran a great route to start the game,” Rodgers said. Watson was “appreciative” of getting the first-play opportunity but obviously incredibly disappointed by the result. But the play to remember is the one that got away. “I missed the first one. Making his NFL debut, Watson was in the starting lineup for his NFL debut on Sunday at the Minnesota Vikings.

Aaron Rodgers' first game without Davante Adams was a struggle, and the three-time defending NFC North champion Packers fell flat in their opener for the second ...

He came close to a third touchdown on the previous drive, too, but his diving catch at the edge of the end zone was a bit too far for him to drop both feet down. ... Rookie LB Quay Walker (shoulder) and backup CB Keisean Nixon (shoulder) departed in the fourth quarter. The “MVP” chants from the fired-up crowd in Minnesota came soon after for Jefferson. Kirk Cousins completed 23 of 32 passes for 277 yards without a turnover, targeting Jefferson on more than a third of his throws and keeping the Packers on their heels for most of the afternoon. “Not because of him, but we expect him to get taken away a little bit.” 34 overall selection, juked past 12-year veteran Patrick Peterson on the first snap for the Packers and let what would've been a 75-yard touchdown pass slip through his hands. I’m not taking anything away from their defense, but we hurt ourselves many times, myself included,” said Rodgers, whose last loss by more than one score to the Vikings in a game he started and finished was a 38-26 loss on Nov. When Adam Thielen ran a slant, cornerback Eric Stokes and safety Adrian Amos both turned inside — leaving Jefferson wide open in the flat after he motioned across. Rodgers even had his NFL-record streak against division opponents of 38 touchdown passes without an interception stopped near the end of the second quarter when his see-what-happens heave was picked off by Harrison Smith. It didn’t matter the situation.” Rodgers' first game without Davante Adams was filled with frustration, and the three-time defending NFC North champion Packers fell flat in their opener for the second straight season. “It didn’t matter the score.