May 16, 2026, 4:55 p.m. CT

The Minnesota Vikings will begin the 2026 season with an immediate NFC North test against a familiar foe, and oddsmakers expect the opener to be extremely tight. Minnesota opened as a slight 1.5-point home underdog against the Green Bay Packers ahead of the September 13 showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium. The matchup marks just the third time the Vikings have opened a season at home against Green Bay, with the previous occurrences coming in 2020 and 2022. As always, the Border Battle immediately becomes one of the NFL’s most emotional rivalry games of opening weekend.

Minnesota enters the matchup carrying momentum from the team’s most recent meeting, after defeating Green Bay 16-3 in Week 18 of the 2025 season at U.S. Bank Stadium. Still, the Packers remain one of the NFC’s most stable franchises under head coach Matt LaFleur, who enters his eighth season in Green Bay with a 76-40-1 regular-season record.

The Packers underwent significant roster changes during the offseason.

Green Bay added veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin, defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, quarterback Tyrod Taylor, and wide receiver Skyy Moore while also losing several notable contributors, including Rashan Gary, Elgton Jenkins, Quay Walker, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks.

One of the most interesting offseason developments came on the coaching staff.

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Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon takes over as Green Bay’s new defensive coordinator after Jeff Hafley departed for Miami. Gannon’s history with Minnesota adds another layer to the rivalry, as he previously worked for the Vikings from 2014 17 under Mike Zimmer before eventually becoming the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. Gannon’s 2022 Eagles defense ranked second in total defense and fifth in takeaways, and Green Bay hopes he can quickly elevate a unit that finished 11th in scoring defense last season.

For Minnesota, the opener represents an opportunity to establish early control inside what again projects as a brutal NFC North race. Opening the season with a win over Green Bay would immediately energize the Vikings’ playoff aspirations. A loss, meanwhile, would instantly intensify pressure inside one of football’s toughest divisions.

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