Green Bay Packers are trying to take control of the division in Week 2. If they win on Sunday, they’re out to a 2-0 start which would be the first time they’ve won their first two games since 2015. Packers have shown that they’re able to take control of Lambeau Field in September and the early part of the season. With five games at Lambeau Field in the first two months, they could go on a true run. It will not be easy though. Vikings are a very good team, and they were one of the best teams after Week 1. These two always seem to play close games, and Vikings are 4-0-1 against Green Bay in their last five games.

Three Storylines I Care About
1. David Bakhtiari’s health – This is a huge deal. If Bakhtiari cannot go, Packers could be in real trouble with their offensive line. They would have to do some massive shifting around. My best guess is that Bryan Bulaga will bump over to left tackle, Billy Turner goes to right tackle and Elgton Jenkins makes his first start at right guard. But that’s pure speculation on my part. Left tackle is the one position where Green Bay is not that deep. Losing Bakhtiari this week to ensure he’s healthy for the next two against elite pass-rushing defenses (Denver and Philadelphia), I can live with that honestly.

2. Who wins the coaching matchup? – I’m fascinated by this part of the game, and you could put this at 1a honestly. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur coached Kirk Cousins for two years, therefore, he will understand his tendencies a bit. He worked with Mike Pettine this week. Pettine versus Gary Kubiak/Rick Dennison will be good too. Can Packers slow down the Vikings outside zone unlike Atlanta did? I believe they can. I’m not expecting Dalvin Cook to be contained but I think this defense is for real. If Green Bay forces Kirk Cousins to pass the football, they’re going to get a turnover or two with this secondary.

3. Packers offense is under a microscope again – This was part of storylines last week, and here we are again. Packers did not do much offensively in Week 1. They’ve had a couple of extra days of practice plus it appears that Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur spent some time together this week going over a few of the things that plagued Green Bay in Week 1. Atlanta moved the ball on Minnesota’s defense. Do not let the score fool you. They turned the ball over in Minnesota’s territory leading to no points. I believe in the offense, and that they can get it done on Sunday.

Don’t sleep on him.
B.J. Goodson – Last week, we gave you Robert Tonyan, and while he didn’t do much, he still had one big catch late in the game. This week, we go defense with the newest linebacker on the Green Bay Packers. Goodson should be getting more reps this week per LaFleur’s comments earlier in the week. Goodson is a great run-stopping middle-linebacker. I like him to make an impact on Sunday’s game versus Cook and the Vikings rushing attack.

Prediction
The line here is about three or three and a half pending on where you’re looking. I like the Packers here. They play well at home early in the year, and part of the Vikings’ allure of last week had more to do with the Atlanta Falcons being absolutely dogshit. This is still close because it’s a rivalry game, but Green Bay comes out on top. Packers 24 Vikings 17.