Vikings Host Packers in NFC North Showdown

An NFL North showdown on Sunday Night Football highlights the Week 2 NFL calendar when the Green Bay Packers visit the Minnesota Vikings. The current line on most top sportsbooks has Green Bay favored by 1.5 points with the over/under point total sitting on 43.

After just one week of the regular season, Green Bay is 1-0 straight up and against the spread overall and on the road. Minnesota after one week is also 1-0 SU and ATS. This will be Minnesota’s first home game of the season at their new U.S. Bank Stadium.

This opening game at a new stadium any prior season would be the big storyline for the Vikings, but it had been overshadowed by whether or not Sam Bradford will start at quarterback over Shaun Hill. Bradford was acquired following the season ending injury to Terry Bridgewater.

Bradford took most of the first team snaps during practice this week but Mike Zimmer the Vikings coach said he was not revealing his starter at QB until Sunday’s game. Green Bay has prepared for both quarterbacks.

However, Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy told his team that neither of the two quarterbacks is the key in the game. McCarthy said the Minnesota offense starts with giving Adrian Peterson the ball. He said his defense focuses on stopping the talented veteran running back.

Aaron Rodgers had two touchdowns passes in Green Bay’s opening week win over Jacksonville 27-23. Rodgers has thrown 2 touchdowns passes or more in 11 of his past 13 games versus Minnesota.

The Green Bay defense held Jacksonville to 48 yards on the ground last week, but gave up 320 yards passing.

Minnesota defeated Tennessee 25-16 in Week 1, as Hill had 233 yards passing. Peterson however only had 31 yards on the ground.

The Vikings returned an interception and a fumble recovery for touchdowns that helped them score 25 unanswered points in the second half.

Peterson has 97 rushing touchdowns for his career for Minnesota.

Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy has 100 yards or more rushing in five of his past six games against Minnesota.

The underdog has covered the number in 4 of the past 5 games between the two teams.

The OVER has cashed in 11 of the past 16 games between the two rivals played in Minnesota.

Prediction: Green Bay might not be as good now as most football pundits say or believe, but Minnesota has a big quarterback problem and on offense in general. Lean toward the Packers here.