Packers: 3 takeaways from loss to Vikings in Week 1

What did we learn from the Green Bay Packers’ loss in Week 1 to the Minnesota Vikings?

It was another Week 1 performance to forget for the Green Bay Packers, who were outplayed in a 23-7 defeat to the rival Minnesota Vikings.

Last season showed why it’s important not to panic after one game, but it’s disappointing for the Packers to put in a poor performance against a division rival. It’s now the third loss in the past four games against the Vikings.

Lessons will be learned and the team will improve.

Here are three takeaways from the Packers’ disappointing Week 1 defeat.

3. Missed opportunities on offense prove costly

The first half could’ve gone so differently for the Packers. They only put up seven points in the entire game, but almost came away with 14 early on.

On Green Bay’s very first offensive play of the season, rookie Christian Watson burned eight-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson and got wide open deep downfield. Aaron Rodgers hit him in stride for a potential 75-yard touchdown, only for Watson to drop it.

Early in the second quarter, the Packers had first-and-goal from the Vikings’ nine-yard line, then fourth-and-goal from the one. An AJ Dillon run was stopped short on the goal line.

On an afternoon that proved to be challenging for the offense, those missed opportunities were costly.