After an offseason completely focused on the quarterback position, the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 1 showdown with the Green Bay Packers could ultimately be decided by special teams.
Kyler Murray's first start with the Vikings will be the main storyline to monitor throughout the game. Minnesota got younger on defense, which could add some intrigue to the contest.
While those are the obvious storylines intriguing Vikings fans, special teams is being overlooked, even though it could decide the game and provide a fast start in the NFC North title race.
Minnesota Vikings special teams could ease Kyler Murray’s growing pains
The third phase of the game is often forgotten, but it usually makes the difference between winning and losing. It's all about field positioning and scoring when the opportunity arises.
Vikings wide receiver Myles Price is the first name to watch out for as an X-factor in the game. Last year, Price averaged 25.9 yards per kickoff return and 9.9 yards per punt return. His biggest problem, though, was fumbles: four of them during the 2025 season.
Ball security will play a major role in helping the Vikings pick up the win. Price also needs to make big plays to help his offense, since there will be some growing pains as Murray runs the show for the first time.
Green Bay has an interesting special teams storyline that could affect the contest. They have a new kicker taking over in 2026: rookie Trey Smack.
Smack has potential, but they've had bumps and bruises along the way, including missed field goals. That could be a ticket for the Vikings to capitalize on Smack's misses and score when they win the field-position battle.
For the Vikings, it might mean being more aggressive on field goals and making sure they can get some pressure or get a block. That could make the difference in the game and rattle the young kicker.
Everyone talks about offense and defense as the defining factors in football games, but the Vikings have special teams strong enough to flip the game. They have Will Reichard at kicker and are rolling with rookie Brett Thorson as their punter in 2026.
While there is trust in those guys, others like Price can give them the spark they need to get past the Packers. It's a game the Vikings need early in the season to build some much-needed momentum.
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