It’s a new era for the Minnesota Vikings, and that era is going to be tested right out of the gates with a much-anticipated Week 1 showdown with the rival Green Bay Packers.
And yet, even with all of the offseason changes the Vikings have undergone, including establishing a brand new regime headed by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell, the Packers are still the favorites in the season-opener.
Per Tipico Sportsbook, the Packers are -1.5 point favorites as of right now with the money line currently sitting at -125. Meanwhile, the Vikings are +1.5 point dogs with a +102 money line.
The Packers inking quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a three-year, $150 million contract extension is the biggest reason for them to still be favorites, despite the opener taking place at U.S. Bank Stadium. Say whatever you want to say about Rodgers, but his talent is undeniable on the football field. He’s still one of the best players in the game at his position.
But he’ll no longer be throwing the ball to his best receiving weapon, All-Pro wideout Davante Adams, who was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. So that’ll create a new dynamic with Rodgers being forced to get on the same page with his new receiving weapons, rookie Christian Watson and veteran Sammy Watkins, on the fly.
Meanwhile, the Vikings keep all of their receiving weapons from last season, including a healthy Adam Thielen and Irv Smith Jr. And this time, they’ll be coached by O’Connell, who is slowly proving to have one of the best offensive minds in the game.
The Vikings have also revamped their defense by picking up a couple of familiar faces to Packers fans with linebacker Za’Darius Smith and slot cornerback Chandon Sullivan. Lewis Cine, the hard-hitting safety from Georgia, and Andrew Booth Jr., the First-Team All-ACC corner from Clemson, will also be joining the likes of Harrison Smith and Patrick Peterson in hopes of breathing new life in the defense.
If they’re successful, it could be another long day for Rodgers at the same stadium he lost at last November.
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