7 facts to know about Packers at Vikings Week 1
The Green Bay Packers kick off the season against their biggest division rival (depending on what part of the state you live in).
The Packers and Vikings project to be the top two teams in the NFC North showdown and this early-season battle will set the tone for the first month. With Green Bay entering the game as the slightest of favorites, it promises to be a back-and-forth contest that comes down to the end.
Here are seven facts you should know about the game to prepare for this battle, courtesy of the Packers’ dope sheet.
Here are seven facts you should know as the Green Bay Packers prepare to take on the Minnesota Vikings to kick off the season.
This is the second time ever the Packers have traveled to Minnesota in Week 1.
These two teams have faced each other 123 times and this is only the second time the Packers have traveled to Minnesota for the season-opener (the other time was in 2020). Back-to-back MVP Aaron Rodgers should be happy about that, as he’s 16-10-1 against the Vikings throughout his career. He’s also been lighting the division on fire–posting a 100-plus passer rating in each of his last 12 contests against the NFC North. That includes a whopping 38 touchdowns and zero interceptions over that span.
This is the fourth straight year the Packers have started the season on the road.
The schedule-makers seem to like putting the Packers on the road for the first game, as this is their fourth straight season starting on the road and eighth of their last 10.
It’s also the fourth time the Packers start the season against a divisional foe in the last five years.
Again, considering the success Rodgers has had against divisional opponents, he won’t mind seeing one to begin the season. The Vikings have revamped their defense at crucial spots, but still lack any proven cornerbacks to begin the year.
The Packers hold the all-time series lead at 64-56-3.
The series has been full of runs with each team taking turns dominating the rivalry. The Packers are in the middle of their run, having won 26 of their last 44 regular season games against Minnesota.
The Packers have won four of the last six games.
That includes the Packers winning four of their last six games. Of course, this season marks a new measuring point since it will be…
Kevin O’Connell’s first game as head coach
O’Connell was named the Vikings’ head coach this offseason, the first time he’s been tasked with leading a club. He comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, as he was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams the last two years.
Next. 3 burning questions for Packers ahead of 2022 season. dark
Matt LaFleur is making history
Meanwhile, LaFleur is trying to continue making history on his end. He already became the first coach to win at least 13 games in his first three seasons. He’s on track to be the winningest coach in NFL history after he qualifies for the minimum games coach mark (50) this season.