Football is back! The 2020 season is finally here! The Packers will kick off their 2020 campaign on the road for the second straight season. This year, they will be in Minnesota taking on their NFC North rival, the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have won their last three home openers, while the Packers have not lost a season opener since 2014. This should be a classic.

Packers at Vikings

  • Kick off: Sunday, September 13, 2020 at 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
  • TV: Fox
  • Commentators: Chris Myers, Greg Jennings, Brock Huard
  • Spread: Packers 3.5
  • Current streak: Packers won the last two
  • All-Time Series record: Packers lead 61-53-3

What to watch:

Home Field

Yes, the Vikings have home field advantage because the game is being played in their own stadium. The Vikings have been really good at home against their NFC North opponents including the Green Bay Packers. This is different. There will be no fans in the stadium. The Vikings will pump in crowd noise, but they have been doing that even with fans in attendance. The fans have a huge impact on a game and can help turn momentum. It will be interesting to see how the players handle the stadium without fans.

Run Game

This goes for both teams and both sides of the both. On defense, the Packers will have to stop Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. This will a key point for Packers nation, after team officials and fans witnessed the 49ers running it right down the Packers throats in the NFC Championship game last year, improvements need to have been made in their run defense. On offense, head coach Matt LaFleur has stressed a balance attack. In both match-ups against the Vikings last season, Aaron Jones rushed for over 100 yards each time. Rodgers and LaFleur have to feel good about getting the run game going early and often and complimenting it with the pass. A strong run game will open up the air attack.

Explosive Plays

This offseason, we have heard coach LaFleur talk about the need of having more explosive plays on offense. This is a good match-up for the Packers to start the season as the Vikings rebuilt their secondary this past offseason and now their secondary is very young. Outside of Pro Bowl Wide Reciever Davante Adams, the Packers feel that that receivers Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are primed for big years. This game is perfect for both of them to get off on the right foot. There should be plenty of opportunities for the Rodgers and his receivers to expose the Vikings young secondary.

Final Thoughts

It will be good to finally see Packer football again. This should be a fun game to watch as these two teams have had competitive match-ups recently. The game might seem a bumpy at times as defenses have not tackled, offenses have received hits, there have been no pre-season games, and that also means that officials have not had their usual warm-ups. Even with all that and no fans in the stands, the Packers have the edge defensively. It isn’t a layup for the Packers as it will be a tight, fun game to watch.

Go Pack Go!

Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag