Packers

Here's how to tune in for Sunday's big NFC North matchup.

[Green Bay Packers](https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/) open their 2022 season. [via DraftKings](https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/qqa5?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D341866674%26wpcid%3D163146%26wpcn%3DBlog%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DOdds&pcid=163146&pscn=NFLRegSeason&pcrn=Blog&psn=Vox)) For those in areas that will not get the game locally, the primary viewing method will be DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket package. Those who are in areas with local broadcasts will also be able to stream the game on mobile devices via the NFL+ app, along with [NFL Sunday Ticket](https://nflst.directv.com/) Today’s game should be an intriguing one, with the Packers coming in as one-point favorites.

The returns of All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari and Pro Bowl offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins will have to wait at least one more week.

The Packers are also expected to be without receiver Allen Lazard, who was listed as doubtful after suffering an ankle injury last week. The starting offensive line would likely look a lot like the preseason, with Nijman at left tackle, Jon Runyan Jr. Bank Stadium in Week 11 of last season.

SEPTEMBER 11: Unfortunately, the Packers will be without their OT bookends for at least one more week. Per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, both Bakhtiari ...

[David Bakhtiari](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BakhDa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) and [Elgton Jenkins](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JenkEl00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-). 1 spot following the departures of [Davante Adams](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AdamDa01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) and [Marquez Valdes-Scantling](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/ValdMa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) this offseason. He, along with running back [Aaron Jones](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=JoneAa00,JoneAa20&search=Aaron+Jones&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-), profile as significant contributors in the Packers’ passing game, especially without Lazard on the field. Quarterback [Aaron Rodgers](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) [openly criticized](https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/08/wr-notes-packers-brown-agholor-bucs) the young pass-catchers last month as they look to prepare for significant roles right away to begin their NFL careers. Doubs in particular is slated to be a starter, and has reportedly [formed a rapport](https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/08/nfc-wr-notes-isabella-turpin-doubs-turner) with the reigning MVP, potentially setting him up for a notable workload especially if Lazard is out. The former made it clear earlier this week that he [expects to be recovered](https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/09/packers-lt-david-bakhtiari-expects-to-play-in-week-1) from the torn ACL which essentially cost him all of last season. [signed his RFA tender](https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/06/packers-allen-lazard-signs-rfa-tender) in June, locking him into a one-year salary of just under $4MM. He has been dealing with an ankle injury, which has kept him out of practice throughout the week. Green Bay would sorely miss their new top receiver in the event of any lengthy absence. [Randall Cobb](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CobbRa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) and [Sammy Watkins](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatkSa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) at the position, along with rookies [Romeo Doubs](https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/romeo-doubs-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) and Christian Watson. One notable absence is expected in the receiving corps, however. SEPTEMBER 11: Unfortunately, the Packers will be without their OT bookends for at least one more week.

MINNEAPOLIS — David Bakhtiari will be inactive when the Green Bay Packers open their season at the Minnesota Vikings today, something that shouldn't be ...

The Packers dropped tight end Robert Tonyan from the injury report Friday, meaning he's ready to play after tearing his ACL in a late-October trip to the Arizona Cardinals last season. You can keep going in there, we're going to keep freaking turning the engine on, and start in gear one and go up to gear six again. The surgery forced Bakhtiari to miss the entire offseason program. Bakhtiari has had at least three surgeries on his left knee since tearing his ACL on New Year's Eve 2020, the third coming after he played 27 snaps in last season's finale at the Detroit Lions. By activating them in camp, the Packers provided an option for Bakhtiari and Jenkins to play before the mandatory four-week window. Bakhtiari started training camp on the physically unable to perform list, missing the first few weeks of practice while he rehabbed his surgically repaired left knee.

Reporter: What's the reason for David sitting out today? LaFleur: Yes. I'm not getting into any of our injuries today, so that's the injury report and we're ...

Winfree’s activation also means the Packers are carrying seven healthy receivers on their 55-man roster (including the practice squad call-ups), which means that rookie seventh-round pick Samori Toure — [who was out-snapped by Amari Rodgers and Winfree in the preseason in action with the first-team offense](https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2022/8/26/23322942/green-bay-packers-snap-counts-preseason-kansas-city-chiefs-week-3-tyler-goodson-patrick-taylor-nfl) — could be the fifth of seven inactives on Sunday. Newman was a 17-game starter last season, but Hanson has only seen six regular-season snaps with the Packers after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 draft. With Lazard, Bakhtiari and Jenkins reportedly out, the team needs to find four remaining healthy scratches on their 53-man roster, one of which will almost certainly come from the safety position, as Abernathy’s addition gives the team a pool of six safeties to choose to use in live action. Still, Bakhtiari was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but he was held out of participation on Friday. As Pelissero mentioned on Twitter, Yosh Nijman is expected to start at left tackle if Bakhtiari is unable to play. When head coach Matt LaFleur was asked after practice on Friday why Bakhtiari didn’t go, this was the exchange:

Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari has played just one game since tearing his ACL more than 20 months ago.

And when Green Bay’s health improved in the postseason, the Packers started Lucas Patrick over Newman. “And we’re going up against a really good defensive line. Last season, the massive Nijman (6-7, 320) made eight starts at left tackle when Jenkins went down and more than held his own. Newman started 16 games at right guard last year and led Green Bay’s offensive lineman with 1,084 snaps. Jenkins took over for Bakhtiari at left tackle last season, and excelled before his own injury. “We feel good about our guys,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said last week. Bakhtiari returned for the regular season finale in 2021 against Detroit and played 27 largely impressive snaps. Bakhtiari underwent a third knee procedure this offseason, but returned from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Aug. “Now it's just getting that normal feeling again when I play football, so that's what it is, the load, stress, strength, but we're not really in an ACL issue. Last week, Bakhtiari participated in team drills on Wednesday and Thursday, but did not practice Friday. Jenkins, 26, ranks among the most versatile linemen in Packer history. Wide receiver Allen Lazard (ankle) is also expected to miss the game.

New head coach Kevin O'Connell makes his debut today after serving as the Rams offensive coordinator. Unlike the last Vikings coach, he knows how passing ...

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Anthony Dabbundo breaks down the Week 1 matchup in the NFL between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.

Rodgers showed no signs of it last season, but the possibility of him looking more like the pedestrian 2015-18 Rodgers is not off the table. In the two games against Minnesota last year, the Packers scored eight touchdowns. You can even go back to the pandemic season, where Adams once again scored four of the Packers’ eight touchdowns in two games against Minnesota. I’m also a bit skeptical of Green Bay because of how much it over-performed expected win totals in years past. Minnesota actually won the only meeting between these two teams in which both Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers played last year, but the Packers have dominated the division and this rivalry for most of the Rodgers era. Despite Green Bay’s division dominance, it’s Minnesota that has won four of the past five meetings on home soil.

The Green Bay Packers will attempt to get to 1-0 to start the 2022 season when they take on the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.

0-0 How much playing time will the rookie wide receivers for Green Bay get? Ultimately, I think there is too much for this Packers offense to overcome. The Vikings have a talented pass rush and the Packers offense is going to need some time to figure things out. But the Packers defense is legit, and I think the disruption of the pass-rush keeps the Vikings on the ropes from start to finish. Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers go head-to-head in a division rivalry duel with Green Bay out to prove its new-look offense ...

While many eyes will be on Rodgers and his receiving corps, the Packers boast a solid ground game, too. Green Bay has tallied at least 30 points in 10 of its 22 trips to Minnesota since the turn of the century. Veteran Sammy Watkins makes his team debut primed to work with a signal-caller coming off his third straight league MVP, while rookie Christian Watson hopes to hit the ground running. AZ, CT, IA, IL, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, WV, WY only. AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY only. New customers only.

Which players have been ruled out in Week 1's game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers? And who is in danger of missing action?

Having two excellent linemen on the Green Bay injury report is big for Minnesota. Having depth on the defensive line would be nice against a typically-stout Green Bay wall of defense. If Lazard misses the game, Aaron Rodgers will have a ragtag group of receivers to throw to. This will be n injury to watch heading into the game. It is the first week of the regular season, so most players are healthy and available but there is a chance players for both the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers could be missing some big names on the field on Sunday. [injury report](https://www.vikings.com/team/injury-report/week/REG-1) on the official website of the Vikings.

The Minnesota Vikings take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and we have our prediction for the game.

The Vikings also have a relatively clean injury report and match up well against the Packers, especially with the pass rush on the outside without Bakhtiari and Jenkins. With all the concerns on the Packers side of the ball, they still have a great defense and the Vikings are debuting two new schemes. For the first time since the 2010 season, the Vikings have a head coach with an offensive background.

The Green Bay Packers will not have their two offensive tackles to block Za'Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter on Sunday at the Vikings.

I think he’s really taken that to heart the last year or so, and it’s really improved a lot. “I know he’s going to go out there and battle, whether it’s at guard or tackle, and we’ve got a lot of confidence in him.” Bakhtiari was inactive for the playoffs and had a third surgery after the season. “He’s excelled in the run game, and then pass protection was kind of a thing that he always needed to work on. Those three played a lot in the preseason and did OK. Hunter had 29 sacks in 2018 and 2019 and six in just seven games in 2021.

The Packers will be without starting OL David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins and starting WR Allen Lazard in Week 1. All three are inactive.

Both players are among the team’s seven inactives for Week 1. Bakhtiari and Jenkins, who were questionable to play, are both coming back from significant knee injuries. The Packers and Vikings are scheduled for kickoff at 3:25 p.m.

WR Allen Lazard, OT David Bakhtiari and OL Elgton Jenkins will miss the game with injuries.

The only player on that list who is not a healthy scratch is Cine, the 2022 first-round pick. Abernathy, who was signed by Green Bay in August, will play in his first NFL regular season game after stints with four NFL squads, the [XFL](https://www.sbnation.com/xfl-football) and the USFL. [each of these players were out-snapped in the preseason](https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2022/8/26/23322942/green-bay-packers-snap-counts-preseason-kansas-city-chiefs-week-3-tyler-goodson-patrick-taylor-nfl) by players who are now on the practice squad. [The Packers announced on Saturday that receiver Juwann Winfree and safety Micah Abernathy have been elevated to the active roster](https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/) for the game, as the team has the option to call up two practice squadders for game action each week. [NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported](https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2022/9/11/23347125/green-bay-packers-injury-report-update-david-bakhtiari-elgton-jenkins-minnesota-vikings-week-1) that the assumption was that the trio would not go on Sunday. Nijman and Hanson are the players who are expected to be promoted from backup roles to starting roles with today’s news.

The Vikes come in mostly healthy and with a whole new coaching staff. Out is defensive guru Mike Zimmer and in is another Sean McVay disciple, Kevin O'Connell.

Tackles David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins will sit out today as they continue to work their way back from ACL tears. For the Packers, the biggest question marks will come on offense. The Vikes come in mostly healthy and with a whole new coaching staff.

Equanimeous St. Brown, who caught one touchdown pass in four seasons with the Packers, caught his first for the Bears in Week 1 on Sunday.

Brown’s only touchdown catch with the Packers came during the 2020 season. He left Green Bay as an unrestricted free agent following the 2021 season and signed with the Bears, following former Packers assistant coach Luke Getsy to Chicago. Over four seasons with the Packers, St.

SportsLine's model simulated Green Bay vs. Minnesota 10000 times and made its Week 1 NFL picks.

Minnesota, on the other hand, has one of the best young wideouts in the NFL in [Justin Jefferson](/nfl/players/2871343/justin-jefferson/). [Za'Darius Smith](/nfl/players/2061139/zadarius-smith/) on defense. [AJ Dillon](/nfl/players/2867083/a-j-dillon/) led the team in rushing last season with 803 yards (Jones had 799 in 15 games). The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings, and the Vikings are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games on FieldTurf. Vikings](https://www.sportsline.com/nfl/game-forecast/NFL_20220911_GB@MIN/) matchup and just locked in its picks and NFL Week 1 predictions. [Davante Adams](/nfl/players/1893167/davante-adams/) since 2019, and running back [Aaron Jones](/nfl/players/2071937/aaron-jones/) averaged 112 total yards and scored 10 TDs in those games. [Visit SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Packers vs. Here are several [NFL odds](https://www.sportsline.com/nfl/odds/) and betting lines for Vikings vs. [You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/vikings-vs-packers-nfl-week-1-line-odd-predictions-proven-nfl-model-reveals-picks-for-sunday-afternoon-matchup/#ttag=09102022_agg_cbssports_picks_football_nfl_model_PackersVikings). [Minnesota Vikings](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/MIN/minnesota-vikings/) and [Green Bay Packers](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/GB/green-bay-packers/) will both be looking for an early leg up on the 2022 [NFL](/nfl) season when they face off on Sunday afternoon in Week 1. The Vikings had the fifth-worst pass defense in the NFL last season, allowing 253 passing yards per game. [NFL picks](/nfl/picks/experts) since its inception.

Minnesota started at its own 15 after Pat O'Donnell's 47-yard punt was fair caught by Jalen Raegor. Quay Walker got his third tackle of the game when he dropped ...

On the play, Gary lined up inside of [Preston Smith](/team/players-roster/preston-smith/) on the left side. [Aaron Jones](/team/players-roster/aaron-jones/) picked up a first down with a 10-yard carry but the Packers punted after a third-and-6 pass to [Romeo Doubs](/team/players-roster/romeo-doubs/) fell incomplete. Dillon punched in the 2-yard touchdown following a 9-yard pass to Doubs that set up first-and-goal. Dillon was stopped short of the end zone on a 6-yard pass on third-and-7. Rookie second-round pick [Christian Watson](/team/players-roster/christian-watson/) started at receiver and beat Patrick Peterson off the line of scrimmage on his first NFL snap but couldn't hold onto the deep pass from [Aaron Rodgers](/team/players-roster/aaron-rodgers/). Green Bay used both a 3-4 base and 4-3 base defense on early downs during the series, bringing in

The Green Bay Packers are facing some big challenges as they kick off the 2022 NFL season at the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Follow along for updates.

With a work-in-progress offense, the Packers can’t afford to leave points on the field. It’s hard to believe the Packers would have allowed five sacks in a five-point loss to Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship Game had Bakhtiari been at left tackle, Billy Turner at right tackle and Rick Wagner on the bench. Last season, the Packers fell to 19th with a red-zone touchdown rate of 58.6 percent. The Packers have three drops; the Vikings have three incompletions. Get the opposition to third-and-long and force the quarterback to make a play against Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas before Rashan Gary and Preston Smith arrive on the scene. The Packers were 1.5-point favorites at the start of the day. The offense scored points by the bushel and the defense’s job was to get just enough stops. He might have lost some of his escape-ability, but he’s got a wicked arm, incredible accuracy and the IQ and experience to outwit every defensive coordinator on earth. Cousins was 7-of-8 for 73 yards on the drive, with three completions to 47 yards to Jefferson. The Packers have a pulse. The Packers got one first down but Rodgers and rookie Romeo Doubs weren’t on the same page on third-and-7. Jefferson caught the ball at the 19 and retreated to the 20 upon the catch; he must have been stunned that there wasn’t a Packers defender within a 150-mile radius of U.S.

Packers rookie Christian Watson dropped what would have been a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the 2022 season.

The Packers punted four plays later. Nerves might have been the primary issue on the rookie’s first NFL snap. The Packers trail 7-0 in the first half.

The Packers lost three defensive players to injury during the second half of Week 1.

Nixon was injured making a third-down tackle and appeared to be in significant pain. Linebacker Quay Walker, cornerback Keisean Nixon and linebacker Krys Barnes all exited Sunday’s game with injuries in the second half. A cart was needed to get Barnes off the field in the fourth quarter.

Tom Silverstein provided updates and analysis as the Packers fell to the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 in the 2022 season opener.

Tom Silverstein provided updates and analysis as the Packers fell to the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 in the 2022 season opener.

Recapping the Packers' 23-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 11.

That’s a lot of points to leave on the field. – Christian Watson dropped what would have been a 75-yard touchdown on the game’s first play and had a few other mental errors. – Not having a better plan for Jefferson was shocking. The Vikings converted on fourth down to finish off the offense’s season-opening touchdown drive. Jefferson finished with a career-high 184 yards on nine catches, while Cousins took just one sack and had a passer rating of 118.9. Maybe a lot of time.

Green Bay can't dig out of a game-opening hole that featured a monster day by Justin Jefferson and dropped touchdown by rookie Christian Watson.

On an 11-yard end-around for Doubs in the third quarter, Rodgers got a chance to throw a block at his former teammate. Smith sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers on third down in the first quarter, and another pressure led to a sack for defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson in the second half. Perhaps his biggest play of the game came on fourth-and-goal in the first half. With a lack of veteran depth at the position, Rodgers will need to stay patient with his rookie receivers early this season. Given more touches, the Packers offense might’ve generated more production. It’s how easy it was as the Packers often simply didn’t cover one of the NFL’s best receivers. On their first play, Rodgers aired out a deep ball down the right sideline to Watson. The second-round rookie blew past Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson off the line of scrimmage, and Rodgers dropped his pass perfectly to Watson. The Packers lost 23-7 before a SKOL-craved crowd of 66,959 at U.S. [How do you think the Green Bay Packers played against the Minnesota Vikings? The Vikings jumped on top with a 78-yard touchdown drive the first time they touched the football and didn’t trail again as Green Bay fell behind 17-0 at halftime. [38-3 loss to open the 2021 season vs.

A dropped touchdown on the first offensive play of the season set the tone as Green Bay couldn't get much going and gave another ugly, ...

Another drive failed after a third-down sack, leading to yet another explosive play from Jefferson on the other end. The Packers also got some contributions from Romeo Doubs with an 11-yard run and a 9-yard reception before Dillon plunged into the end zone from two yards away for the Packers’ first points of the season. The Packers defense got a third-down stop in the red zone, but on fourth and inches, Jefferson came in motion and caught Stokes flat-footed, taking an easy pass to the flat and to the pylon for the Vikings’ first points of the season. Even though the Packers managed to move the ball down the field late in the game, their situational play failed them. He and Thielen each posted gains of over 20 yards on the mid-fourth quarter series, but the defense stiffened in the red zone to force another field goal and keep the score within 16 points. Out of the half, Rodgers took a massive hit from a pair of Vikings. A quick three and out ahead of the two-minute warning led to yet another big play from Jefferson. Aaron Rodgers dropped the football perfectly into his hands in stride but Watson dropped the ball, a gutting reminder of his inexperience on his very first NFL snap. Instead of a quick response to an opening-drive touchdown from the Vikings, the Packers would spot Minnesota a 20-0 lead before finally getting on the board in the third quarter on Dillon’s touchdown. AJ Dillon scored the Packers’ first touchdown of the season from two yards out to pull Green Bay to within two scores. A brief glimmer of hope did appear in the third quarter, as the offense got the running game humming a bit. Instead of the Saints giving a listless Packers team a 38-3 drubbing on a hot Jacksonville September day, it was the [Minnesota Vikings](https://www.dailynorseman.com/) and Justin Jefferson running free through the Packers’ secondary constantly for the first 30 minutes.

MINNEAPOLIS -- — Justin Jefferson started his third season with Minnesota by smashing rival Green Bay for 184 receiving yards and two touchdowns, ...

... Rookie LB [Quay Walker](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4379416/quay-walker) (shoulder) and backup CB [Keisean Nixon](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4259493/keisean-nixon) (shoulder) departed in the fourth quarter. [Harrison Smith](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14945/harrison-smith). ... LG [Jon Runyan](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3929936/jon-runyan) (concussion) left in the third quarter and was replaced by rookie [Zach Tom](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4240435/zach-tom). Backup LB [Krys Barnes](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4035817/krys-barnes) (ankle) left on a cart. The last one was snagged by Detroit’s [Amani Oruwariye](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3116175/amani-oruwariye) on Dec. 34 overall selection, juked past 12-year veteran [Patrick Peterson](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/13980/patrick-peterson) on the first snap for the Packers and let what would've been a 75-yard touchdown pass slip through his hands. (quadriceps) left in the second quarter. [fresh haircut](https://twitter.com/packers/status/1568717345719205896) after a summer of personal rejuvenation, Rodgers returned to an offensive cast that needs plenty of work — running back duo [Aaron Jones](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3042519/aaron-jones) and A.J. [Kirk Cousins](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14880/kirk-cousins) completed 23 of 32 passes for 277 yards without a turnover, targeting Jefferson on more than a third of his throws and keeping the Packers on their heels for most of the afternoon. [Justin Jefferson](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4262921/justin-jefferson) can already stake a claim to this subjective yet coveted status. He came close to a third touchdown on the previous drive, too, but his diving catch at the edge of the end zone was a bit too far for him to drop both feet down. I’m not taking anything away from their defense, but we hurt ourselves many times, myself included,” said Rodgers, whose last loss by more than one score to the Vikings in a game he started and finished was a 38-26 loss on Nov.

If there were any questions about the style of football Kevin O'Connell wants to play, they were answered on the opening drive of the game as Minnesota faced a ...

According to ESPN, Hicks had 14 tackles, good for third most in the NFL so far in Week 1. Watson dropped a would-be touchdown on a deep ball on the first play of the game. Jefferson's 158 receiving yards in the first half was a franchise record and his 184 yards was a career high. Wonnum and Jordan Hicks had the other two of Minnesota's four sacks, with Hicks's hit on Rodgers forcing a fumble. His 64-yard catch and run in the second quarter was his 200th career reception in 34 career games. Here's what stood out in the border battle.

Green bay Packers left guard Jon Runyan Jr. left Sunday's season opener against the Minnesota Vikings to be evaluated for a potential concussion.

Runyan started 16 games at left guard last season. Rookie Zach Tom replaced Runyan at left guard. Green bay Packers left guard Jon Runyan Jr.

Matt LaFleur fell on the sword for the Packers' Week 1 performance, but Aaron Rodgers preached patience after the Vikings' 23-7 win in Minnesota.

"This is two years in a row that we've come out and not looked prepared," LaFleur said. 18](https://www.nfl.com/games/bears-at-packers-2022-reg-2), when the Packers host the 1-0 Chicago Bears. While Adams was busy catching 10 passes for 141 yards and a score in his Raiders [debut](https://www.nfl.com/games/raiders-at-chargers-2022-reg-1), the Packers' wide receivers collectively totaled 12 catches for 120 yards, the vast majority of which came after falling behind by 17 points. "It's the mental stuff that we just can't have because we're hurting ourselves." I had a lot of opportunities to score a lot more than seven (points)." They were abysmal in that bizarre season opener a year ago against the Saints, losing 38-3 and amassing only 229 yards and 14 first downs -- far worse than today. "We had a lot of chances today," Rodgers said. Doing it last year was one thing; taking that approach with a unit that's makeup has changed markedly is quite another. Part of that understandably could be chalked up to the offensive line being quite beat up. "I feel like we did some good things. LaFleur has authored more on-point game plans than not in his mostly brilliant Packers career. "Obviously, it wasn't very good," LaFleur said.

MINNEAPOLIS – The Packers dropped their 2022 season opener to the NFC North rival Vikings, 23-7, on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

[David Bakhtiari](/team/players-roster/david-bakhtiari/) and [Elgton Jenkins](/team/players-roster/elgton-jenkins/), along with No. [Aaron Jones](/team/players-roster/aaron-jones/) and Dillon involved more. "Anytime Aaron Jones comes out of a game with eight touches, that's not good enough," LaFleur said. "Certainly we had a couple blown coverages where we cut him loose, and if there's anybody you don't want to cut loose it's No. On the fourth-and-goal, while LaFleur wishes he would've called another play he was thinking about, Rodgers was kicking himself for not improvising. The Packers fell behind from the jump and never got going, a frustrating repeat for an 0-1 start. 1 receiver [Allen Lazard](/team/players-roster/allen-lazard/). Everyone was fired up about dialing up the deep shot early to showcase the speed of Watson, the second-round pick from North Dakota State. "They put him in premier spots and attacked our coverage well," LaFleur said. "Obviously wasn't very good, and that starts with me," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. He helped Kirk Cousins put up a sparkling 118.9 passer rating with 277 yards. He ran a great route and got well behind the defense, but "he just has to finish the play," LaFleur said.

Three plays that didn't go the Packers' way ended up dooming Matt LaFleur's team in the season opener against the Vikings.

Matt LaFleur didn’t love the call in hindsight; Aaron Rodgers lamented not keeping the ball and walking in for a touchdown. Three plays created a 21-point swing against the Packers. A chance to level the game at 7-7 ended up in a punt. It was just another missed opportunity in a game defined by them. As is the case in most games in the NFL, a few plays made all the difference. Bank Stadium, three plays directly affected the final outcome of the contest.

Surprising” to QB Aaron Rodgers how prevalent they were, and youth is no excuse.

"I wish I had the answer there (as to why). The early red-zone failures offensively became a season-long issue after being historically terrific in 2020, and they were studied extensively this past offseason. Perhaps if he had, the game is 7-7 in the middle of the first quarter. There were just too many preparation issues, and it was surprising." He mentioned on three or four plays, the blocking up front simply wasn't executed properly, assignment-wise, and chances for big plays down the field were ruined. "Drops are going to happen, but the mental stuff we can't have because we're hurting ourselves.

The Packers had no answer for Justin Jefferson, who caught nine passes for 184 yards and a pair of scores, including the game-opening touchdown in the first ...

The Vikings played two-deep safeties for much of the game and took away big plays, and many of the in-breaking route concepts weren’t effective. The Packers have big-time players in the defensive front and ended up finishing with eight total quarterback hits, but the pressure wasn’t consistent enough, especially in the first half. Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers need to do a much better job of getting the ball to No. There are always a few plays that turn a game one way or another, and the Packers weren’t able to make any of them on Sunday. As Aaron Rodgers said post-game, it’s really, really hard to win in the NFL when you can’t get out of your own way, and the Packers missed too many chances and made too many self-inflicted errors to beat a good football team on the road. The Packers had no answer for Justin Jefferson, who caught nine passes for 184 yards and a pair of scores, including the game-opening touchdown in the first quarter.

On his first snap of his NFL game, Christian Watson beat coverage but dropped a certain 75-yard touchdown pass.

“I know what I am capable of and they know what I am capable of as well. It is just good to know that they are going to hold me to that standard as well. It’s just a play that I know I can make and going forward I am going to make that play every single time. In the NFL, those kinds of chances don’t come often and his teammates let him know he needs to make those. “Then as the game started going on, I started seeing correlation. The Packers hadn’t seen a big dose of the drops that many scouts knocked him for during his time at North Dakota State.

Everything was set up for Christian Watson to have a memorable debut for the Green Bay Packers. And he did, but not the way he wanted.

Me, personally, it’s good to get the first one out of the way and I am excited to continue to look forward.” “I thought Christian ran a great route to start the game,” Rodgers said. Watson was “appreciative” of getting the first-play opportunity but obviously incredibly disappointed by the result. But the play to remember is the one that got away. “I missed the first one. Making his NFL debut, Watson was in the starting lineup for his NFL debut on Sunday at the Minnesota Vikings.

After the Packers lost 23-7 to the Vikings in Week 1, Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers said his team had "too many mental mistakes."

[David Bakhtiari](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/15963/david-bakhtiari) and [Elgton Jenkins](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3115485/elgton-jenkins), who have not been cleared to return from knee surgeries. [AJ Dillon](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4239934/aj-dillon) in the second quarter. It couldn't stop Vikings receiver [Justin Jefferson](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4262921/justin-jefferson) (nine catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns). That throw, which [Harrison Smith](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14945/harrison-smith) picked off, ended Rodgers' streak of touchdowns without an interception against an NFC North foe at 38 -- the most consecutive touchdown passes without a pick in divisional games in NFL history. "There's a lot to build on when you compare the two. [Las Vegas Raiders](/nfl/team/_/name/lv/las-vegas-raiders), his new-look receiver group (which was missing presumed No. "We scored four more points than we did that day," Rodgers said with a smile. After Rodgers and Doubs appeared to miscommunicate on a third down midway through the first quarter, he wasn't targeted again until the third quarter. Hate to see it on the first play, but it's part of it -- there's going to be drops throughout the season." "Most of the time, it's a play I know I'm capable of making. After Watson's drop, he wasn't targeted again until late in the fourth quarter. It's the mental stuff that we just can't have because we're hurting ourselves.

Kept away from star cornerback Jaire Alexander, Justin Jefferson dismantled the Packers for 184 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday.

You get hit in the mouth, you’re either going to back down or you’re going to come out swinging,” he said. “That’s the thing that I like about our offense,” he said. But we played him much better in the second half, but in the first half he looked like a premier receiver in the league.” “So, I’m not backing down from nothing, so don’t come out swinging, and I expect the defense and the team to do the same thing.” “We did much better in the second half than in the first half. But they do a nice job of putting him in different positions, whether it’s in the slot, whether it’s motioning. That’s what I like about our offense, our guys that are here, we just have to keep going and keep getting better.” Instead, when he turned around, he would have needed binoculars to see the nearest defender. “If you just commit to playing man coverage the whole game, sure, you can do it. Jaire Alexander had one of the bests seats in the house. He chose not to, at least for the first half. Justin Jefferson walked the walk on Sunday.

The Packers entered Sunday's NFC North showdown with the Vikings looking to kick off their fourth straight march to a division title.

Down 17, he was in dire need of a chunk play, but Harrison Smith easily outmuscled Cobb on the jump ball for the pick, sending the Packers into the break down three scores and without any offensive rhythm to build on. The Packers (0-1), meanwhile, will hit the "Sunday Night Football" stage for another NFC North matchup, this time with the Bears (1-0), who upset the 49ers in sloppy conditions. It's been a concern ever since the team dealt Adams, but the concern was justified watching Rodgers try -- and often fail -- to extend plays, only to find that no one was separating downfield. They have one of the best skill groups in the NFL. A play later, facing a fourth-and-1, Rodgers zipped the ball to Robert Tonyan's hands at the goal line, but the tight end couldn't hold on. Rookie Christian Watson, who dropped a would-be touchdown on the first offensive play of their day, didn't get his head turned around quick enough on a key screen, and the pass was nearly picked.

Green Bay's elite cornerback Jaire Alexander had said he wanted to defend the Vikings' receiver all day, but that wasn't the game plan.

“That's the thing I like about our offense," Jefferson said. Best believe Alexander will want his shot when these two teams meet later in the season. The blowout wasn’t the only déjà vu though. The defense leaned on that experience after this game. But a lot of his catches were uncontested, and he caught balls that he shouldn’t have.” His 36-yard touchdown might have been the easiest catch of his career. From the left slot, the one receiver that needed to be covered cut across the field to an open patch of turf, catching his quarterback’s attention. Jefferson had more yards and touchdowns than all of them, leading the NFL in receiving after the league’s opening Sunday, because the Packers made his Week 1 alarmingly easy. Cooper Kupp had 13 catches, 128 yards and a score against the Buffalo Bills. But they do a nice job of putting him in different positions, whether it’s in the slot, whether it’s motioning. He had a 76.09 rating in 21 passes thrown to anyone else. The two-time Pro Bowler caught nine of his 11 targets for 184 yards and two first-half touchdowns, giving the Vikings a 17-0 halftime lead.

Rodgers threw for only 195 yards in the 23–7 loss to the Vikings, and running back A.J. Dillon was his leading receiver with five receptions for 46 yards. His ...

Rookie wideout Christian Watson caught two passes for 34 yards, but he also dropped what would’ve been a 75-yard touchdown catch. Dillon was his leading receiver with five receptions for 46 yards. His former top target, Adams, enjoyed a quick connection with college teammate Derek Carr.

A quick recap of the Green Bay Packers' 23-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium: Big picture. It's the opener, so it's hard to draw any big ...

The Packers had a great chance early — actually two chances — but failed to come through and found themselves in an early hole. Going into the game, he was the guy the Packers knew they had to stop. Just about everything else could fit here, but the defending of Jefferson has to rank first. But Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips stacked the interior of the line, and unblocked Za'Darius Smith flew in off the edge to stop Dillon short of the goal line. [How do you think the Packers played against the Vikings? It’s the opener, so it’s hard to draw any big conclusions.

Even the Packers coach was a little surprised by the performance of his defense in the season opener on Sunday.

The elite defense expected in Green Bay didn’t show up in the opener. Packers coach Matt LaFleur was also a little bit stunned by the performance of his defense against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Given a chance to make a statement on the opening series, the Packers allowed the Vikings to go 78 yards in 10 plays and score a season-opening touchdown on a fourth down conversion from Cousins to Jefferson.

When the dust settled on their 23-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Aaron Rodgers criticized the team's offense play, ...

It could be worse for the Packers -- Dallas won't have its starting quarterback for some time after a 19-3 drubbing at home in prime time. [Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (throwing hand) requires surgery, to miss several weeks [Green Bay Packers](https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/) on Sunday in Minnesota. When the dust settled on their 23-7 loss to the [Minnesota Vikings](https://www.dailynorseman.com/), head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Aaron Rodgers criticized the team’s offense play, though they largely pointed their fingers at themselves. Meanwhile, Jaire Alexander barely ever lined up across from Justin Jefferson, with the coaching staff choosing not to match the two up. Rodgers blamed himself for missing some throws, though he also pointed to numerous other mental errors by his teammates that found him being vocal with his displeasure on the field.

Join Green Bay Packers All-Pro linebacker De'Vondre Campbell and Packers wide receiver Amari Rodgers as they debut as the co-hosts of Clubhouse Live, ...

[Watch past episodes of Clubhouse Live](https://www.packersnews.com/fans/clubhouse-live/) [Amari Rodgers, De'Vondre Campbell to co-host Clubhouse Live](https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/clubhouse-live/2022/08/30/packers-devondre-campbell-amari-rodgers-co-host-clubhouse-live/7932945001/) 18 game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field, which will be given away during the show.

The Green Bay Packers laid an egg in their 23-7 loss at the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. What does it mean? Here are three reasons to be concerned.

The defense’s struggles were a colossal disappointment given the talent and experience on that side of the ball. To be sure, coming up with a winning game plan is a lot easier with Bakhtiari and Jenkins in the lineup to take care of Smith and Hunter. They also knew they had to walk the walk. We had chances to be right in the game with that last drive being a game-winning field goal and not a fourth down down 16.” Green Bay gave up 23 points – a manageable number – with only six points in the second half. We’ve got to turn it up on the defense. “A lot of the plan this game seemed to be inside-the-numbers stuff, so Sammy didn’t have a lot of opportunities. And the return of Allen Lazard, the team’s most trusted receiver, will help, too. The burning question since Adams was traded in February was how the Packers would move the ball through the air. “We’ve got to be able to throw the ball outside the numbers,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. In a game of matchups, the Packers were playing uphill without David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins to block Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter. What was a surprise is how the Packers played in specific phases.