The Green Bay Packers (11-4) visit their longtime NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings (13-2). Our Packers vs Vikings prediction is for favored Minnesota to cover the 1-point spread and that the teams score less than 48.5 points.
For Minnesota, the game is crucial. If they win, they have a reasonable chance of securing the top seed in the conference. Green Bay can make a case to go all out to win or capitulate for the greater good if they fall behind.
The rivalry goes back to the early-1960s when the NFL expanded to Minnesota and Vince Lombardi was in his days as Packers head coach.
Head-to-head, Green Bay leads with a record of 66-59-3.
Offshore Odds: The Spread Has Shifted Back and Forth All Week
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | +1 (-105) | +100 | O 48.5 (-105) |
| Vikings | -1 (-115) | -120 | U 48.5 (-115) |
Green Bay Can Be the 5, 6, or 7 Seed
While laypersons are breaking out their calculators and trying futilely to grasp the labyrinthian playoff possibilities, the Packers’ situation is relatively simple.
Green Bay can get the 5, 6, or 7 spot in the NFC bracket. The one thing they do not want is to go to Philadelphia for the Wild Card round. That would happen if they fell to seventh.
However, keeping their players healthy is more important. With the workload running back Josh Jacobs has shouldered, Christian Watson’s knee banged up, and tight ends Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave nursing lower-body injuries, discretion might be the better part of valor.
The teams are evenly matched except for Minnesota’s vulnerability to the downfield passing game due to injuries to their secondary. Expect Jordan Love to come out firing, particularly if the Packers want to limit Jacobs.
The NFC’s Top Seed is in Minnesota’s (and Detroit’s) Hands
There’s a deranged scenario where the Eagles can get the number one seed, but it requires a tie in Week 18 between Minnesota and Detroit. It won’t happen.
Both the Vikings and Lions know their math.
Minnesota visits Detroit next week. If the Lions beat San Francisco on Monday and the Vikings lose to Green Bay, Detroit gets the number one seed because they beat Minnesota in Week 7. The Vikings need to beat Green Bay this week and Detroit next week.
Their earlier matchup is one the Vikings will live to regret if they don’t get the one seed. They led 29-28 to the last 15 seconds when Detroit’s Jake Bates kicked a game-winning field goal.
Minnesota and Green Bay are so evenly matched that the difference in the game might be if the Vikings get a lead and Green Bay decides to sit Jacobs and other stars for the greater good. That is the best-case scenario for Minnesota.
Packers vs Vikings Prediction: Minnesota Wins Going Away
The Vikings desperately need this game and will win easily with the teams backing off in the second half and keeping the score under 48.5.
-
Tags:
Leave a Comment