NFL Experts weigh in on Vikings chances of Week 2 win vs Packers

The Minnesota Vikings face the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 of the 2018 NFL season and the experts have voiced who they believe will win the game.

The experts were right in Week 1. An overwhelming amount of them chose the Minnesota Vikings to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in the season opener and the boys in purple and gold were able to get a win by the final score of 24-16.

Another tough game lies ahead for Minnesota as they hit the road for the first time in 2018 to take on their division rival Green Bay Packers, who are coming off an improbable comeback victory over an impressive Chicago Bears squad.

This week, the experts are much more divided when it comes to their picks. Although Aaron Rodgers enters Week 2 with a knee issue that could impact the game, there is still plenty of belief Minnesota can get the job done.

Picking the Vikings

• Bleacher Report Staff: “Sunday’s matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers does at least have a point spread, but the line has been all over the map thus far this week.” (Score prediction:  Vikings 24, Packers 21)
• CBS Sports – Jason LaCanfora
• CBS Sports – Wil Brinson
• CBS Sports – Ryan Wilson
• CBS Sports – Dave Richard
• CBS Sports – Jamey Eisenberg
• ESPN – Bowen
• ESPN – Golic
• ESPN – Graziano
• ESPN – Kimes
• ESPN – Qerim
• ESPN – Riddick
• ESPN – Seifert
• ESPN – Wickersham
• Miami Herald – Greg Cote: “I pick against the Gee Bees at Lambeau with great pause, but I just can’t rely on Aaron Rodgers (sprained knee) starting or playing well if he does against a really good Vikes D.” (Score prediction: Vikings 28, Packers 21)
• NFL.com - Elliott Harrison: “Minnesota can line up across the board against any offense.” (Score prediction: Vikings 22, Packers 17)
• SBNation – RVB
• SBNation – Stephen White
• SBNation – Geoff Schwartz
• SBNation – Charles McDonald
• SBNation – Adam Stites
• SBNation – Christian D’Andrea
• Sporting News – David Steele: “Rodgers’ greatest feat Monday night was making everyone forget how underwhelming the Packers looked on both sides of the ball.” (Score prediction: Vikings 28, Packers 26)
• USA Today – Jarrett Bell (Score prediction: Vikings 24, Packers 20)
• USA Today – Nate Davis (Score prediction: Vikings 23, Packers 17)
• USA Today – Mike Jones (Score prediction: Vikings 24, Packers 18)
• USA Today – Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz (Score prediction: Vikings 24, Packers 23)
• USA Today – Lorenzo Reyes (Score prediction: Vikings 28, Packers 27)

The Vikings put forth an impressive performance in Week 1, showcasing an amazing goalline defense and a capable offense that will give any NFL team a hard time. However, the Packers with Rodgers are far from your average NFL team.

Still, if Minnesota can play the way they did last week and continually get pressure on Rodgers while executing their offense, there’s no reason the team can’t win on the road.

Picking the Packers

• CBS Sports – Pete Prisco: “Will this be Aaron Rodgers at quarterback for the Packers or not? If they do have him, I think they win the game. If not, good luck.” (Score prediction: Packers 24, Vikings 16)
• CBS Sports – Jared Dubin
• ESPN – Clay
• Pro Football Talk – Mike Florio: “If Aaron Rodgers plays, Green Bay wins. If he doesn’t play Green Bay loses.” (Score prediction: Packers 20, Vikings 17)
• Pro Football Talk – Michael David Smith: “I wish I could know for sure whether Aaron Rodgers will be healthy on Sunday. If he is I think the Packers win, if he’s not I think the Vikings win.” (Score prediction: Packers 20, Vikings 17)
• SBNation – Pete Sweeney
• Sporting News – Vinnie Iyer: “Rodgers and Kirk Cousins have had good duels in the past, and they’ll have another here.” (Score prediction: Packers 27, Vikings 24)
• WalterFootball.com – Walter: (Score prediction: Packers 27, Vikings 21)

If there’s one thing football fans must have learned over recent years, it is that you can never count Aaron Rodgers out. Between hail mary passes, clutch throws, and big comebacks, he can shift the tide of a game quickly.

Plus, a speedy, young defense and the game being at Lambeau Field, there are some very appealing reasons why some experts feel Green Bay is the team to beat in this contest.

As you can see, most experts are still going with Minnesota on this game, but are quick to hedge their bets based on the condition Rodgers is in. However, even with a healthy quarterback for Green Bay, the Vikings should still be considered to be the favorite based on their talented roster.

Do you think the Minnesota Vikings or Green Bay Packers will come away with the victory in Week 2? And what do you believe the final score will be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.