GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — Sunday marks the first Packers game of the year.
As the Green Bay Packers (12-3) take on the Minnesota Vikings (7-8), all eyes will be on this game as the green and gold need just one more win to lock up the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
So as we start 2022, what are Packers fans hoping for in the new year? A Super Bowl? Will Aaron Rodgers stay with the team?
NBC 26 spoke with fans ahead of the game:
"I don't care how they play unless they win," said one fan visiting from California.
Starting off with Sunday night's game versus the Vikings, Packers fans say the green and gold are in good shape to start 2022.
"I'm hoping for a blowout. They're out their QB and their #1 wide receiver so we have a really good chance. That's what I'm hoping for. A good way to start the year," said Manville Strand, a fan visiting from Colorado.
Other fans said they have high hopes this will finally be the year the Packers bring back the "Title" to Titletown.
"Hoping to get a re-match of the Ice Bowl with the Cowboys and have big Mike McCarthy come back and have the Packers beat the Cowboys and then rematch against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl," said Travis Alexander, a fan from California.
"I think it's going to be the Chiefs and the Packers and I think it's going to be a tight battle and I think the Packers are going to prevail in the Super Bowl and win," said Jay Bertelson, a fan from Minnesota.
And while many remain optimistic, one Packer fan says he's playing things safe and doesn't want to get his hopes too high.
"I don't want to say Super Bowl or bust but I'm looking for a ring I'd say with this team," said a fan visiting from St. Louis, Missouri.
And with Aaron Rodgers making headlines over the last year, how confident are fans feeling that he'll spend another season in Green Bay?
"I think he's going to win MVP again this year and I think he and Mark Murphy are going to figure it out and he's going to re-sign," Bertelson said.
"He'll stay one more year. He ain't going to go out like that. So yes, I think he's going to stay," said another fan.
"I sure hope so. I think his off-season stuff he does whatever he wants. That's perfectly fine. He comes back another MVP year and doesn't need to be working out all the time. More him," Strand said.
"I think it depends if he wins the championship or not. He has ice water in his veins," said Yancy Ford, a fan from Georgia.
So what will actually happen? Only time will tell.
If you're looking to watch this game, the kick-off for Sunday's game is at 7:20 p.m. and you can watch on NBC 26.
However, before the game begins NBC 26 will also be hosting a local pre-game show starting at 5 p.m. CT.
At kick-off, temperatures are expected to be in the single digits, which according to the Packers would mark the coldest Packers-Vikings game ever played at Lambeau Field.
