Vikings open season tonight, Packers get opening Day win

(Chicago, IL/Minnesota News Network) — Week One of the N-F-L season wraps up tonight with the Minnesota Vikings visiting the rival Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. Vikings quarterback J-J McCarthy will be making his first career regular season start and will have several weapons to throw to, including Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and T-J Hockenson. Chicago’s Ben Johnson will be making his head coaching debut after being hired by the Bears in the offseason. Johnson hopes to connect with former first overall pick Caleb Williams, who was sacked 68 times as a rookie last season. Chicago was 5-12 a season ago. The Vikings finished second in the N-F-C North at 14-3 before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. Minnesota will be without veteran safety Harrison Smith, who will miss the game due to what a team announcement said was an “illness.” Kickoff tonight is set for 7:15 P-M.

The Green Bay Packers opened the season with a 27-13 win over the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Jacobs extended his franchise record after scoring a rushing touchdown in his ninth consecutive game. Green Bay begins the year 1-0. Jared Goff completed 31 of his 39 pass attempts for 225 yards, one touchdown and a pick. Detroit is 0-1 to start the season.