The NFC North remains the NFL’s best division, and we have a fantastic matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers.

Each game in this division means a lot more than other divisional games. The division has an astounding 20-4 record against teams outside the NFC North, and all four teams are at least three games over .500 at the halfway mark.

Right now, the Vikings are 2-1 in the division while the Packers are 1-2. A loss here could be devastating for the Packers when we get to the end of the season, along with the Vikings having the tiebreaker over the Green and Gold.

This game got a lot more interesting with the addition of Kirk Cousins, but will it be enough to help the Vikings get the win? Our NFC North experts predict the game.

Vikings 28, Packers 24

This game will be the focus of multiple different players, but mainly what Kirk Cousins will look like for the Vikings. We know that he’s second in the NFL in touchdown passes and has already thrived playing for Kevin O’Connell in years past. Will five days be enough to help him get re-acclimated?

Simply put: I think they do. The defense has already shown a lot over the last few weeks against top teams, and I believe they will be the same on Sunday, like they did in the second half in Week 1.

– Tyler Forness, A to Z Minnesota (2-3 record)

Vikings 27, Packers 24

I see this matchup being a lot closer than the previous game between these two teams back in Week 1. For starters, Green Bay’s defense is playing at a high level right now both getting after the quarterback and taking the ball away. I think that’s important with this being Kirk Cousins first game back with the Vikings going into a hostile crowd.

Since Brian Flores became the defensive coordinator in Minnesota though, the Packers have only exceeded 30 points in one of seven matchups. So, I’m not expecting the kind of offensive explosion the Packers had last week happening again. However, the Packers will score enough to keep it close. But, if this comes down to a tight game, I have a lot more confidence in Will Reichard coming through with a game-winner than Trey Smack.

– Kole Noble, A to Z Chicago (0-5 record)

Packers 21, Vikings 17

With Kirk Cousins on the field, there’s a solid chance the Minnesota Vikings would have beaten the Buffalo Bills on Monday. That’s how good Brian Flores’ defense has been, and how bad Carson Wentz was. So I do think Cousins adds a lot of value to Minnesota, especially because he knows the system and his main receiving weapons.

Going back to Week 1 tape, I still believe the Packers were the better team, though, and that’s wild to say when the Vikings won by 17. An insane sequence of events led to that outcome, and three or four plays going differently would have changed the entire trajectory of that game.

Nine weeks later, the Packers are much better prepared to handle the Vikings’ offense with Jonathan Gannon establishing a defensive identity, and the Packers’ offense has accepted it has to lean on Jordan Love, Christian Watson, and Matthew Golden to succeed. Love will likely make a mistake here and there against this type of defense, but he has the perfect profile to expose some of its weaknesses as well.
It’s gonna be close, but I’m going with the Packers in this one.

– Wendell Ferreira, A to Z Green Bay (2-3 record)

Packers 17, Vikings 14

This is going to be an interesting game. The Vikings got Kirk Cousins back, but I’m not sure that changes a whole lot and I’m not sure quarterback was the only issue this offense had. The Packers have been pretty balanced in recent weeks and Jordan Love is coming off a big game. I’ve got to take the Packers here since I think they’re the better overall team.

– Mike Payton, A to Z Detroit (3-2 record)

Final Prediction for Vikings vs. Packers

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that our staff is split down the middle here. Both teams are very good, and it’s primed to be a fantastic battle.