It’s been a long wait for the Packers to get back on the field after opening the season with a 10-3 win over the Bears way back on September 5th. The NFL week 2 Minnesota at Green Bay pick has the Packers -2.5 favorites at Lambeau Field. The extra prep time will definitely help Green Bay, but the Vikings come in after a very impressive week one win over Atlanta.
Vikings Look to Keep Doing What They’re Doing
Minnesota showed a lot of versatility in their 28-12 win over Atlanta in Mnneapolis last Sunday. What was most impressive about that win was that Kirk Cousins was just 8/10 for 98 yards and a TD. Dalvin Cook dominated on the ground with 21 carries for 111 yards and 2 TD. Green Bay played great defense vs. Chicago in the opener, but Minnesota still hasn’t unleashed Adam Thielen or Stefon Diggs while also getting a great ground contribution from Alexander Mattison (9 carries, 49 yards).
The NFL week 2 Minnesota at Green Bay free pick has an O/U of 43 which is low due to the Vikings playing extremely solid defense vs. Atlanta a week ago. Sure, Matt Ryan did throw for 304 (on 46 attempts) but he also tossed 2 INTs. The Vikings had a 28-0 lead at one point in that game and as a result the Falcons ran just 17 times for 73 yards.
These two squads met almost a year ago to the day in Lambeau Field and dueled to a very unsatisfying 29-29 tie. Minnesota was actually a -2 favorite in that contest. Cousins had 425 and 4 TD in that game and engineered a 22-point 4th quarter just to get the draw.
Packers Still Have a Lot to Prove
Green Bay was lucky to get a week one 10-3 win over the Bears. Chicago showed their rust by playing hardly any players in the preseason and neither team looked very sharp. Opening game anxiety is out of the way and it’s time for the Packers to get down to business as -2.5 favorites in the NFL week 2 Minnesota at Green Bay free pick.
Another reason the Packers are lucky to be 1-0 is because Aaron Rodgers threw for just 203 yards vs. Chicago and was sacked 5 times. Green bay had just 47 yards rushing on 22 carries and still have a lot of questions at the skill positions besides Davante Adams. That being said, for as bad as the Green Bay offense looked last week, so did the Bears’ thanks to the Packers defense. Green Bay also tallied 5 sacks and held Chicago to 46 yards rushing on 15 attempts.
Rodgers was 30/42 for 281 yards and a TD in last year’s tie with the Vikings (Green Bay also lost later in the season 24-17 at Minnesota). The Packers offense produced just 1 TD in that game, getting a score from a blocked punt as well as 5 Mason Crosby field goals. There’s a new regime in Green Bay as Matt Lafleur takes over for Mike McCarthy but does that help or hurt the Packers’ cause here?
NFL Week 2 Minnesota at Green Bay Free Pick
The Packers have had a couple extra days of prep time but Minnesota’s blowout win last week allowed them to throw just 10 times, meaning there’s not a whole lot on tape. The Vikings showed a sound run game, but can also crack open the passing game on Sunday. Green Bay is largely still an unknown after that u-g-l-y season opener at Soldier Field.
Pick: Vikings +2.5
