Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season is finally here for the Minnesota Vikings, and this upcoming Sunday, September 13, they will begin their journey back to the playoffs when they take on the hated Green Bay Packers inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
Not that a matchup between the Vikings and Packers is ever in need of additional attention, but Sunday's contest will be played on the national stage as CBS's featured game of the week.
Minnesota has a great opportunity in front of them to send a message to all of their offseason doubters and begin the 2026 campaign with an impressive victory over Green Bay.
Leading up to Sunday's game, we'll have all the latest injury updates, predictions, storylines to watch, and more right here.
So bookmark this page and check back throughout the next few days for all you need to know about Sunday's battle between the Vikings and Packers.
- How to Watch Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers in Week 1
- Minnesota Vikings Injury Report for Week 1
- Green Bay Packers Injury Report for Week 1
- Biggest Minnesota Vikings Storylines heading into Week 1
- Predictions for Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers in Week 1
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 9 at 6:00 a.m. CST
How to Watch Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers in Week 1
- Date: Sunday, September 13
- Time: 3:25 p.m. CST
- TV Network: CBS
- Announcers: Jim Nantz (Play-by-Play), J.J. Watt (Color Analyst), Tracy Wolfson (Sideline)
Minnesota Vikings Injury Report for Week 1
Injury updates for the Vikings will be posted as soon as the first injury report is released on Wednesday, September 9.
Green Bay Packers Injury Report for Week 1
Injury updates for the Packers will be posted as soon as the first injury report is released on Wednesday, September 9.
Biggest Minnesota Vikings Storylines heading into Week 1
Debut of Kyler Murray as QB1
After the decision to roll with J.J. McCarthy as the team's QB1 last year worked out terribly, Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell knew he needed to add a signal-caller with a lot more experience to come in and be the team's starter for 2026.
The Vikings, of course, signed former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in free agency this past March, and fans are hoping his performance this season turns out to be a sequel to what Sam Darnold did in purple and gold in 2024.
For those who are skeptical of Murray as Minnesota's QB1 this year, well, he can definitely win a lot of people over by helping the Vikings get a win over the hated Packers in his first start for the franchise.
Time for Dallas Turner to dominate?
Minnesota traded veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard during this year's NFL Draft, and they wouldn't have done that if they didn't have a ton of confidence in the guy taking his place in the starting lineup this season: Dallas Turner.
Entering his third year with the Vikings, Turner seems primed for a breakout performance and one that will prove he was worth the first-round selection the team used on him in 2024.
How much will Harrison Smith play?
After months of Minnesota players and coaches pretending that they didn't know whether Harrison Smith would return to the team this season or not, the longtime safety signed a new deal with the Vikings this past Saturday, and everyone is happy to have him back in the locker room.
Assuming Smith remained in shape over the summer, many are expecting him to at least get a decent amount of snaps against Green Bay on Sunday. But Minnesota might also have other plans in mind, and his time on the field could be limited.
Is Minnesota's rushing attack actually revamped?
All offseason long, it feels like we've been hearing about how Minnesota's run game is much improved, and it's actually going to be a factor in O'Connell's offense this year.
During the offseason, the Vikings added former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as the team's new assistant head coach, and they promoted Keith Carter to be the team's new offensive line coach.
Minnesota also selected fullback Max Bredeson in the fifth round of this year's NFL Draft, which would be a silly decision to make if they weren't going to be more committed to the run this season.
All of these moves are expected to help give Minnesota a better chance at having an effective rushing attack each week. However, we still have to wait and see if the offensive play-caller (O'Connell) actually utilizes his running game more, or if it was all just another offseason fairytale.
Can the Vikings take advantage of a depleted Packers' roster?
Week 1 looks like a great time for the Vikings to take on the Packers.
Not only is the majority of Minnesota's roster healthy, but they'll be taking on a Green Bay team that we know will be without edge rusher Micah Parsons, and running back Josh Jacobs is unlikely to play as well due to currently being on the Commissioner's Exempt List.
If the Vikings can't get a win over the Packers without Parsons and Jacobs on Sunday, then the 2026 season is probably going to be a long one for Minnesota.
Predictions for Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers in Week 1
NFL Media Experts
- Colleen Wolfe - Vikings
- Grant Gordon - Vikings
- Bucky Brooks - Vikings
- Brandon Perna - Vikings
- Brooke Cersosimo - Vikings
- Dan Parr - Vikings
- Kevin Patra - Packers
- Lance Zierlein - Packers
- Tom Grossi - Packers
- Nick Shook - Packers
CBS Sports
- Bryant McFadden - Vikings
- Pete Prisco - Packers
Add us as a preferred source on Google