Packers poised to pass hard, season-opening test
By GERY WOEFEL
You can fully expect the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings to go on the attack Sunday.
Passing attack, that is.
When the Packers and Vikings exchange unpleasantries in both team’s season opener in Minneapolis, the game will feature two of the best receiving corps in the NFL.
The Packers have four quality receivers in Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft.
The Vikings also have a quartet of high end receivers, includingJustin Jefferson who is arguably the second-best receiver on the planet behind Cincinnati’s Ja’Marrr Chase. The talented Vikings’ receiving corps also include Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockensen and Jauan Jennings.
Considering both the Packers and Vikings boast top tier receivers, it just makes sense each of those teams will attempt to advantage of their strengths.
But there’s another reason why one should expect a passing party today: Both teams have secondaries that are suspect. What’s more, both teams have a player who could be quite vulnerable.
In the Packers’ case, it’s Brandon Cisse. He was Green Bay’s second-round selection in the 2026 draft. Cisse is talented, but he’s also raw and obviously inexperienced.
Season veterans have been burned by Jefferson and so could Cisse who never came close to guarding a player of Jefferson’s caliber while playing at South Carolina.
Meanwhile, Vikings safety Harrison Smith isn’t a newbie to the NFL. He’s had a long and distinguished career. But Harrison is 37 years old and not the fastest man anymore.
Harrison also figures to be out of shape. He opted to return for another season just last week.
Combine Smith’s ae and his late arrival in joining the Vikings this season and you have a player that Packers head coach Matt LaFleur will undoubtedly try to pick on.
Does anyone really think Smith will be able to stick with Watson or Golden, two of the speediest players in the lague?
Yes, this game promises to be a shootout and a high-scoring affair as well.
WHAT THE ODDSMAKES ARE SAYING: Vikings by 1.5 points.
WHAT’S GW SAYING: Packers 31, Vikings 24.
