Packers Wire sections personnel projections: Week 4 vs. Vikings

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

It’s unclear whether Jordan Love, who is questionable, or Malik Willis will be under center for the Packers, but Matt LaFleur’s team is doing great after beating the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans over the last two weeks with Willis under center.

Can the Packers start their NFC North schedule with a gigantic win over the visiting Vikings?

Here’s how the Packers Wire staff thinks the game against the Vikings will play out in week four:

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

After two weeks of doubting the magic of Malik Willis-Matt LaFleur, we’re back to predicting wins – regardless of who will be playing quarterback on Sunday. The Packers have proven they are 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 from Brian Flores’ defense will be a challenge, but if the Packers can handle the task before the snap and at the line of scrimmage, there could be plenty of explosive plays. There are also good matchups between the Packers defense and the Vikings offensive line. One takeaway or explosive play makes all the difference for the Packers behind schedule in a one-point victory.

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

After practicing the last two weeks without any setbacks, it appears that Jordan Love will return in Week 4. Love should strengthen the attack, but it is worth noting that Malik Willis did an excellent job, showing his mobility and composure under pressure. His success has kept the Packers’ offense steady, and Love will look to build on that momentum. The Packers lead the league in rushing, while the Vikings have the second-best run defense. Love’s ability to stretch the field and challenge the Vikings’ secondary could be an X-factor, especially if he creates some piecemeal plays for Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Meanwhile, Aaron Jones, who signed with Minnesota in the offseason after seven seasons in Green Bay, will also return on Sunday. Quarterback Sam Darnold says the Vikings are an impressive 3-0 for the first time in eight years. Darnold and his supporting cast have been effective in Minnesota’s offense this season, although they will now face a Packers defense different than ever before. Darnold could struggle against Green Bay’s opportunistic pass defense and relentless pass rush. On Sunday, the Packers hand the Vikings their first loss of 2024, and Love secured the win in a crucial moment.

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

Coming soon!

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

Sunday’s Packers-Vikings matchup is shaping up to be a competitive NFC North matchup. Green Bay enters the game with the No. 1-ranked offense in the league, but will face Minnesota’s formidable second-ranked defense. The Packers defense has also been outstanding, recording a league-high seven turnovers so far, and Xavier McKinney leads the way with an interception in every game. Minnesota has shown potential to play a gigantic role, but its offensive line is struggling and could be exposed by Green Bay’s quick passing game. Jordan Love should return and be a good addition to the offense, but if Malik Willis starts playing for the Packers again, expect the team to rely on the ground game and conservative passing to keep the Vikings off balance. Vikings Sam Darnold is off to a fantastic start, but how long will it last? Darnold has a great support around him with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones and several others, but defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has the Packers defense playing at a level we haven’t seen in a long time. It was against the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts, but I like the Packers matchup in terms of their defensive unit.