The Minnesota Vikings head to historic Lambeau Field this weekend for an NFC North rivalry game against the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings enter the game leading the NFC North at 3-0, while the Packers are one game back at 2-1. This showdown occurs on Sunday, September 29th at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS. Let’s take a look at this Vikings-Packers Preview.
The Vikings have shocked everyone starting the season 3-0 with Sam Darnold at quarterback after losing rookie JJ McCarthy before the season. Darnold has operated this offense smoothly, and Justin Jefferson remains one of the best in the league. These Viking wins haven’t been against cupcakes either. In Week 1 they beat the New York Giants. Then in Week 2 they took down the NFC Champion 49ers and followed it up with a whooping of the Houston Texans in Week 3.
On the other side of the ball, the Packers took the Eagles to the wire in the season opener in Brazil. But quarterback Jordan Love was hurt at the end of that game. In steps Malik Willis and he’s gone 2-0 beating the Indianapolis Colts and his former team the Tennessee Titans. Jordan Love looks to be trying to make his return in this game, but that’s yet to be made official.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers Preview and Predictions
Aaron Jones over 82.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (-117)
Aaron Jones wanted to stay with the Green Bay Packers and even talked about taking a hometown discount. The team said no thanks and went and purchased the younger upgraded model in Josh Jacobs. Jones turned around and signed with the division rival, to get a chance to remind the Packers twice a year what they gave up on.
Here’s his first chance, I’d expect Jones to ask for the ball, and his team to scheme up ways to get it to him. Last week the Packers allowed running back Tajee Spears to catch the ball for 54 yards. They held the run game in check, but that may be more of a Titans problem. In Week 2 Jonathan Taylor had 135 combined yards against the team. In Week 1 Saquon Barkley went for 132 yards and three touchdowns against them. Jones has surpassed this number on the ground alone in two of the Vikings’ three games this season.
#Vikings Mesh Rail but with Justin Jefferson in the backfield and Aaron Jones lined up at WR.
Tempo out of the huddle confuses the defense. Great play design by Kevin O’Connell. pic.twitter.com/AORuqWhHIx
— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) September 24, 2024
Jayden Reed Over 48.5 Receiving Yards
The #1 wide receiver has been the biggest liability for the Vikings through three games. Last week it was the combination of Stefon Diggs (94 yards) and Nico Collins (86 yards) who did work against the Vikings’ defensive backs. In Week 2 Deebo Samuel tore them up for 110 yards through the air. And back in Week 1 rookie Malik Nabers burst onto the scene for 66 yards.
Reed has established himself as the Packers’ number one weapon. In Week 1 with Jordan Love Reed had 138 yards through the air and added 33 on the ground. Week 2 was rough with the adjustment to Malik Willis with just nine receiving yards, but Green Bay still got him involved in the run game. As Willis got up to speed in Week 3 it was back to 50 yards through the air for Reed. Whichever quarterback starts, they’ll get Reed the ball and he should be able to go over this total, maybe by a lot.
