Here we go. The National Football League returns for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon. The idea of starting the year against the Minnesota Vikings on the road with the bloodthirsty Vikings fans is a scary thought. But now when you take away the Vikings fans and things aren’t that scary. Green Bay starts their season off with another divisional opponent. This seems to be a constant for the Packers, but they will get a chance to make a statement for the year to start with the rest of the division and the NFC.

FIVE STORYLINES TO WATCH
1. Aaron Rodgers versus the young Vikings corners – Minnesota might have some pass rushers and some other defensive stalwarts yet their corners absolutely stink. Rodgers has to be licking his chops with these matchups. Davante Adams should have a massive day, and it’s a good way for the young wide receivers to get going in the 2020 season. Could this lead to people overreacting about MVS or Allen Lazard, you bet your ass.

2. How will the right side of the line hold up? – It seems like Billy Turner might be able to start on Sunday. If Turner is able to go Sunday, this is all a moot point. But if he doesn’t play, Ricky Wagner will be the right tackle. Wagner hasn’t done much in the training camp. That could be a big issue for Green Bay, even with Danielle Hunter out. Rodgers may need to do a little more scrambling than he usually does out there.

3. How will the Vikings replace Stefon Diggs’ production – Looking at this matchup, Vikings have no one after Adam Thielen at wide receiver. Like no one. Justin Jefferson is not going to be ready Week 1. Olabisi Johnson had some moments, but do you really expect him to have a huge impact? It is ironic because all we’ve done is talk about how Packers have no wide receivers when really it is the Vikings.

4. Packers need to contain Dalvin Cook – In the first Packers-Vikings game of last year, the only big Vikings play was Dalvin Cook breaking a 75-yard run. It sparked a rally for the Vikings where they nearly came back to beat Green Bay. Green Bay’s run defense is a hot topic this offseason, but Packers seem ready to prove the doubters wrong. If Cook goes off like his last name is Mostert, the Packers are deep trouble.

5. Chris Myers and Greg Jennings is an announcing combination from hell – Having Greg Jennings call this game is bad enough but good motivation for Rodgers. Then you add Chris Myers to the list who has become Dick Stockton (Finally off the broadcasts this year!) where he still gets jobs every week. Brock Huard is actually okay as the third guy, but three-man booths rarely work for good crews, imagine this sone?

GUY I GOT MY EYE ON
Rashan Gary – Interested to see what Rashan Gary can do out there for the Packers. Gary is getting a lot of hype from his teammates, and we could be ready to see him unleashed on Kirk Cousins. It would not surprise me if Gary makes a big play in this one.

PREDICTION
Packers 27 Vikings 14 – I don’t think this a close one, folks. Green Bay doesn’t have to worry about the noise, the offense will start to out with a bang. Big days from Rodgers, Aaron Jones, Adams. Defensively, Minnesota is going to need to some time for all their pieces. Green Bay takes advantage of that.