Sports Analyst Has Vikings, Packers Picking Up Wins

Peter King, one of the premier sports writers in the country and studio analyst for NBC's Football Night in America, has both the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers coming out on top in their first games of the season.

For the Vikings, the challenge isn't as daunting. They face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars who are in the process of rebuilding, have a second-year QB (that didn't have a great first year), a new head coach and their biggest weapon - Maurice Jones-Drew - held out the entire preseason. King has the Vikings winning 20-13:

"In The Questionable Quarterback Bowl, Blaine Gabbert gets outdueled by Christian Ponder. The key: Adrian Peterson's 16 carries, for 97 yards and a touchdown. Good return to action for Peterson, back in the groove eight months after knee reconstruction. Pretty good story."

For the Packers, the road to victory is a bit tougher. They host the San Francisco 49ers, who are coming of a huge season under second year coach Jim Harbaugh and missed out on the Super Bowl in part because of two bad special teams plays. Still, King thinks the Packers will squeak out a close one, 23-20.

"What a game. FOX has to be thrilled this didn't get plucked for prime time. So many subplots, so little time. Randy Moss returning to Lambeau as a factor for a team that'll challenge the Packers for NFC supremacy. The Pack trying to erase bitter memories of another January loss to the Giants. The Niners knowing they came within a couple of botched punt returns of the Super Bowl, back to show last year was no fluke. Aaron Rodgers-Alex Smith; the 2005 draft decision revisited. It's all here at Lambeau."

What do you think? Can both the Vikings and Packers start out the season on high notes? Or are one - or both - starting out the season in a hole? Post your thoughts below.

• You can find out the rest of King's game picks on SportsIllustrated.com.