Week 1: Murray's Vikings Debut Comes Against Packers Missing Parsons and Jacobs
The Green Bay Packers visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 13, in Kyler Murray's first start for Minnesota after he won the camp competition with J.J. McCarthy. Green Bay opens without Micah Parsons, on the PUP list until at least October after his torn ACL, and without Josh Jacobs, placed on the commissioner's exempt list after being charged in a domestic incident. Tucker Kraft is back from his own ACL tear but expects a snap count. Minnesota's offseason turnover was mostly on defense and in the front office, with Jonathan Greenard traded to Philadelphia, though Harrison Smith is back on a one-year deal after his contract was terminated in March, while Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and the offensive line return intact.
Green Bay's defense without its best player
New coordinator Jonathan Gannon opens without Parsons, and the Packers' pass rush was ordinary once he went down last December.
Murray with Jefferson for the first time
Minnesota's fourth different Week 1 starter in four years gets the league's best receiver and a line anchored by Brian O'Neill, indoors.
Green Bay's backfield by committee
With Jacobs unavailable, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks and newly acquired Kaleb Johnson split the carries behind Jordan Love.
AI Prediction
Packers 
Vikings Green Bay is missing its two most important non-quarterbacks
Parsons and Jacobs out at the same time takes away the Packers' pass rush and their lead back in one week.
Minnesota's offense is stable around a new quarterback
Jefferson, Hockenson and an intact line give Murray the cleanest environment he has had in years, and the game is indoors.
Love keeps Green Bay in it
Love beat Minnesota 23-6 last November, and Green Bay's receivers are healthy, which is why this stays a one-score projection.
The lean is on Green Bay's absences more than on Murray, who is making his first start in a new offense. Minnesota's own uncertainty is at backup quarterback, not starter.
Vikings Leaders
Packers Leaders
Venue
Closing Line
Bet this matchup
Super Bowl futures, win totals & where to bet
FanDuel Sportsbook: Get $350 in Bonus Bets When You Wager $5 for 7 Days. New customers only. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook, verify your account, and make a deposit of at least $5. Place a single online real-money wager of $5+ between 3 AM ET and 11:59 PM ET each day for 7 consecutive days starting from your first eligible wager. Maximum bonus of $50 per day ($350 total). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire 7 days after receipt. The 7-day period begins once you're opted in to the promotion. Eligibility and state restrictions apply. See the current offer and full terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
21+ and present in select states. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
Fanatics Sportsbook: Up to $1,000 in FanCash Matched Bets. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV or WY. Apply the promotion in your bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting the day of account creation. FanCash rewards equal the qualifying wager amount (max $100 FanCash per day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, including FanCash terms, apply - see the Fanatics Sportsbook app.
21+ and present in a state where Fanatics Sportsbook operates. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Touchdown Week may earn a commission when you sign up through our links, at no cost to you. Please bet responsibly.
Vikings Injuries