Packers and Vikings Open NFL Season in NFC North Rivalry Game

The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are set to open their 2026 NFL seasons against each other in a Week 1 NFC North matchup. The game is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, with a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The contest marks the 132nd meeting between the historic rivals. For the Vikings, it will be the regular-season debut of quarterback Kyler Murray, who was acquired in the offseason. Murray is expected to start, with Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy listed as backups. He will lead an offense that includes star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. For the Packers, Jordan Love is scheduled to start at quarterback. Love is coming off a 2025 season in which he threw for 23 touchdowns and nearly 3,400 yards. Green Bay's backfield will be without running back Josh Jacobs, who is on the Commissioners Exempt List. The team is expected to use a committee approach, with MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, and Chris Brooks sharing carries. The game will be broadcast on CBS and is available for streaming through services such as DIRECTV and FuboTV, both of which offer free trials. The Vikings are listed as 1.5-point favorites in betting markets.