### **MINNESOTA VIKINGS**
**Week 1 result:** Minnesota 39, Green Bay 22
**Next opponent:** at Chicago (1-0), Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. (FOX)
Minnesota blitzed Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love on 78.3 percent of his dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats and the Vikings' team website. It was the fourth-highest rate by a defense in a game since at least 2018. That's part of Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' DNA as Minnesota led the NFL in blitz percentage at 44.3 last season. Love was sacked four times and threw a pick vs. the blitz in the second half alone.
**2\. Right choice at backup QB**
Minnesota made veteran Carson Wentz their backup behind starter Kyler Murray to begin the season. That helped secure Minnesota a Week 1 victory after Murray left the game with a concussion and Wentz stepped in, completing 12-of-19 passes with three touchdowns and a 123.5 passer rating.
**3\. Little things lead to wins**
The Vikings were out-gained nearly two-to-one by the Packers, but Minnesota still found a way to win. The Vikings won the turnover battle (2 to 1), were 4-for-4 in the red zone while the Packers were just 1-for-4, and were 8-for-15 on third down while Green Bay was just 3-for-12. The Packers were also 0-for-2 on fourth down.
**Key stat:** All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson has moved into a tie with Randy Moss for No. 2 in Vikings history for career catches (587) after catching eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Cris Carter is at the top of the list with 1,004 receptions.
**Quotable:** "Sometimes you've gotta fake it 'til you make it," Wentz, 33, told the Vikings' team website after the game. "But no, by the time I step in that huddle, I'm sitting here like, 'I've done this. I've done this before in a lot of different colors now … I'm confident in what I bring to the table.'
"I'm kind of the old guy in the huddle now. So that's what I'm called to do. That's why I'm here. That's why I believe the coaches believe in me to put me out there. So that's my job, that's my role."
**Twentyman:** Minnesota ended the game on a 29-0 run starting with just over two minutes left in third quarter led by Wentz to shock the Packers. What Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell must love about this Week 1 win is it was a complete team effort in all three phases. Those are the kinds of wins that can kickstart the season for a team and give them a ton of confidence. Next up is a date with the Bears in Chicago as the Vikings begin the season with two division opponents.