Packers Wire Staff Predictions: Week 4 vs. Vikings

The Green Bay Packers can continue their winning streak to three games by beating the undefeated Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

It’s still unclear whether Jordan Love, whose play is questionable, or Malik Willis will be at center for the Packers, but Matt LaFleur’s team is flying high after beating the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans with Willis at center over the last two weeks.

Can the Packers start the NFC North schedule with a big win against the visiting Vikings?

Here’s how the Packers Wire staff thinks the Week 4 showdown with the Vikings will play out:

Zach Kruse: Packers 24, Vikings 23 (0-3)

After two weeks of doubt about the Malik Willis-Matt LaFleur magic, we’re back on the victory prediction train — regardless of the quarterback’s role on Sunday. The Packers showed themselves capable of four key winning factors: creating explosive plays, generating turnovers, protecting the quarterback and disrupting the opposing quarterback. LaFleur’s team will likely need to do all four to defeat the undefeated Vikings. Protecting the quarterback against Brian Flores’ defense will be a challenge, but if the Packers can handle business before the snap and at the line of scrimmage, explosive plays could be plentiful. And there are some good matchups for the Packers defensive front against the Vikings offensive line. A takeaway or explosive play is the difference for the Packers at the end of a one-point victory.

Brandon Carwile: Packers 24, Vikings 23 (2-1)

After practicing the last two weeks without any setbacks, it appears Jordan Love will make his return in Week 4. Love should provide a boost to the offense, but it should be noted that Malik Willis performed admirably shown, demonstrating his mobility and balance under pressure. . His success has kept the Packers’ offense afloat, and Love will look to build on that momentum. The Packers lead the league in rushing, while the Vikings are second in run defense. Love’s ability to stretch the field and challenge the Vikings secondary could be the X-factor, especially if he creates big plays for Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Meanwhile, Sunday will also mark the return of Aaron Jones, who signed with Minnesota in the offseason after seven seasons in Green Bay. Quarterback Sam Darnold helped the Vikings go an impressive 3-0 for the first time in eight years. Darnold and his supporting cast have been effective for Minnesota’s offense this season, although they will now have to deal with a dictating Packers defense unlike any they have faced in recent memory. Darnold might struggle against Green Bay’s opportunistic pass defense and a relentless pass rush. The Packers hand the Vikings their first loss of 2024 on Sunday, with Love delivering in critical moments to secure the win.

Brennen Rupp: Packers 20, Vikings 17 (3-0)

Future!

Greg Williams: Packers 30, Vikings 20 (2-1)

This Sunday’s Packers-Vikings game promises to be a competitive NFC North game. Green Bay enters the game with the league’s No. 1 rushing attack, but they will face Minnesota’s formidable No. 2 rushing defense. The Packers’ defense has also been exceptional, forcing a league-leading seven turnovers so far, with Xavier McKinney leading the way with an interception in each game. Minnesota has shown big play potential, but its offensive line has struggled and could be exposed by Green Bay’s pass rush. Jordan Love is expected to return and should be a nice boost for the offense, but if Malik Willis starts again for the Packers, expect them to rely on their ground game and a conservative passing attack to unbalance the Vikings. Vikings Sam Darnold is off to a fantastic start, but how long will it last? Darnold has great support around him with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones and a few others, but defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has the Packers defense running on leverage we haven’t seen in quite a while. Now, this was against the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts, but I like the Packers game for their defensive unit.

The story was originally published on Packers Wire