NFL: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (30) runs the ball as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) defends during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sept. 13, 2026.
The Vikings’ defense received a proverbial bouquet following the team’s season-opening win over Green Bay. Rightfully so. Once Minnesota got its nose in front, that unit emphatically shut the door with three sacks — one of which produced a fumble — and an interception.
Domination.
Minnesota wrapped Week 1 with the eighth-best defense in terms of estimated points added (-11.8) and seventh in opposing success rate (38.81%). It was the Vikings defense fans quickly grew to know and love a year ago, flexing its muscles in winning time.
Which is the greatest strength a defense can have. So many NFL games are won and lost late. A defense that can protect a lead is usually one that will play into January.
Yet for a defense of Minnesota’s standards and quality, it’s difficult to give an “A” grade for the win over Green Bay. For the first three quarters, the Vikings’ defense was entirely average, if not a little worse. The big plays were largely to blame.
SharpFootballAnalysis.com defines an “explosive play” as one that goes for 15-plus yards. Green Bay delivered an explosive-play rate of 10.4% on Sunday, the third-highest mark in the NFL. Worse, five of those plays went for at least 30 yards, including Jordan Love’s 81-yard scoring strike to Christian Watson that put the Packers up 9-0 in the opening frame.
Those simply didn’t happen a year ago against Minnesota, which was a top-five defense. The Vikings allowed explosive plays on just 3.7% of snaps in 2025, the best mark in the NFL. For reference, per Sharp Football, drives that feature at least one explosive play end in scores 61% of the time, versus 16% for those that don’t.
Keep in mind, Minnesota surrendered one passing touchdown total over the final eight games last season. There were no free runners sprinting through the secondary, as was frequently the case in what looked to be, at times, a disorganized back end in Week 1.
When Green Bay was able to stay balanced and sell the play action, Love gashed the Vikings on numerous occasions. That happens. He’s a top-tier signal-caller. If there’s a week for mix-ups or confusion, the season opener is among the more forgivable.
There’s a lot of room for growth, and reasons to believe that will take place; the young defensive front will continue to learn and grow, and Harrison Smith’s snap count will increase. Flores himself this week said improvement is the primary focus in the opening third of the campaign. That must be tangible between games one and two.
Because here comes the ultimate test.
Chicago, led by offensive mastermind Ben Johnson, just posted 59 points against Carolina. The Bears’ head coach has a stated goal to break the Broncos’ season-long scoring record (606 points), and he’s off to a good start.
Chicago features a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback in Caleb Williams, three elite pass catchers in Rome Odunze, Luther Burden and Colston Loveland and a two-headed rushing attack in D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
Williams threw for 361 yards in a playoff win over Green Bay in January, and the Bears ran for 291 yards last week, a game in which 11.4% of their plays were explosive. If there’s confusion, if there are more breakdowns, the Vikings’ defense — as good as it is — will be gashed.
And despite the Week 1 result, comebacks are not how Minnesota will make its hay this season. This defense must be dominant, every week, for the Vikings to achieve their ultimate aspirations.
They didn’t hit that standard for long enough stretches in Week 1. If the Vikings reach 2-0 and legitimately contend in this division flush with high-octane offenses, they must.
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