Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings: Week 1 Game Guide (2026)

The Minnesota Vikings opened Week 1 with a 39-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers on September 13, turning a nine-point halftime deficit into a 17-point win at U.S. Bank Stadium. The defining box-score contrast was Minnesota’s finish: the Vikings scored 29 points after halftime, including 22 in the fourth quarter, while Green Bay added only three after the break and was scoreless in the final period. Green Bay held the early advantage, outscoring Minnesota 9-3 in the first quarter and 10-7 in the second for a 19-10 halftime margin. The Vikings cut that gap by winning the third quarter 7-3, making the cumulative score 22-17 entering the fourth. Minnesota’s 22-0 advantage in the final quarter then produced the 39-22 result. With no play-by-play supplied, the scoring sequence within each quarter and the specific possessions behind the reversal cannot be established. Carson Wentz delivered the strongest efficiency line among Minnesota’s quarterbacks, completing 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His 123.5 passer rating came despite taking three sacks for 19 yards. Kyler Murray also appeared, finishing 3-for-5 for 18 yards with one interception. The contrast is important: Minnesota did not pile up passing yardage, but Wentz’s three touchdown passes supplied high-value production from a relatively limited number of attempts. The receiving production was concentrated around two reliable targets. Justin Jefferson caught eight of nine targets for 92 yards and two touchdowns, with a long reception of 39 yards. T.J. Hockenson added four catches on five targets for 36 yards and the other receiving touchdown, while Josh Oliver contributed two receptions for 22 yards. Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings were targeted three combined times without a catch, leaving room for broader involvement beyond Jefferson and the tight ends. Minnesota’s running backs provided two more touchdowns and a workable division of carries. Jordan Mason led the supplied rushing lines with 59 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts, including a 28-yard long run. Aaron Jones Sr. carried 12 times for 40 yards and another score. Their combined average was below four yards per carry, so this was not a consistently explosive rushing performance, but both backs reached the end zone and Mason supplied the group’s longest gain. The Vikings’ defense allowed substantial passing yardage but also produced disruptive results. Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love threw for 387 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-42 passing, yet he completed exactly half his attempts, threw an interception, lost a fumble and took four sacks for 34 yards. James Pierre recorded Minnesota’s interception and returned it 28 yards while also defending two passes. Andrew Van Ginkel recovered a fumble and registered 1.5 sacks, and Dallas Turner added a sack and seven quarterback hits. Levi Drake Rodriguez had another sack, while Blake Cashman posted seven tackles, two tackles for loss and half a sack. Green Bay still generated major gains through the air. Christian Watson caught six passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted statistically by an 81-yard reception. Matthew Golden added six catches for 95 yards, while Tucker Kraft produced 65 yards on three receptions. Those figures show that Minnesota’s coverage conceded explosive passing production even in a comfortable win. The counterweight was pressure, two takeaways from Love and a second half in which the Packers scored only three points. Special teams also gave Minnesota meaningful field-position production. Myles Price amassed 179 yards on five kickoff returns, averaging 35.8 yards with a long of 68, and added a 13-yard punt return. Will Reichard made his 38-yard field-goal attempt and four extra points, while punter Brett Thorson placed three of four punts inside the 20. The useful Week 1 takeaway is clear but measured: Minnesota paired efficient touchdown passing, two rushing scores, defensive disruption and strong return numbers with a dominant fourth-quarter scoring margin. The 387 passing yards allowed and limited production from several receiving options remain the primary weaknesses visible in this game’s evidence.

• Minnesota outscored Green Bay 29-3 after halftime, including a 22-0 fourth quarter, to turn a 19-10 halftime deficit into a 39-22 win.
• Carson Wentz completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, producing a 123.5 passer rating.
• Justin Jefferson caught eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns, while Minnesota’s defense recorded four sacks and forced two Love turnovers.