Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings 9/13/20 - NFL Picks, Advanced Odds, & Predictions

On Sunday September 13th, the Green Bay Packers will visit US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota to play the Minnesota Vikings in the opening game of the NFL regular season for both. The Green Bay Packers are coming off a season of 13-3 in which they were the NFC North Champions and were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Due to limited spending power Green Bay did not sign any big-name free agents and the same familiar names from last season will return such as Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones,  Davante Adams, and Za'Darius Smith. The Packers selected quarterback Jordan Love and running back AJ Dillon with their first two picks in the draft.

However it might be the lesser-known names that could prove to be vital in the Packers success. One such player is offensive lineman Rick Wagner, who played just 12 games during the 2019 season, but is expected to give Rodgers protection during the passing game and open holes for Jones in the running attack. Another unknown is Jace Sternberger. The tight end, who missed part of last season with an injury, is a solid blocker and has excellent hands as a receiver and could be one of Rodgers’ go-to receivers on third down. Defensively Chandon Sullivan could become an integral part of the Packers defensive secondary at the slot position.

The Minnesota Vikings were 10-6 in 2019 and finished in second place in the NFC North. The Vikings were eliminated by the San Francisco 49ers in the postseason. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, who threw for over 3,600 yards with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions returns under center, while Dalvin Cook will look to surpass 1,000 yards for the second straight season. Stefon Diggs is no longer with the Minnesota Vikings but Adam Thielen and tight ends Kyle Rudolph in Irv Smith Jr. give Cousins plenty of targets to throw to.

Minnesota was more active this offseason in signing free-agents including Tajae Sharpe who will give the Vikings a receiver to replace Diggs. In addition, the Vikings signed Anthony Zettel, a defensive end who will help replace the departed Everson Griffen and Stephen Weatherly. In the draft, the Vikings selected receivers Justin Jefferson and KJ Osborn. On the defensive side of the ball, Minnesota added depth in the draft by selecting DJ Wonnum and Kenny Willekes.