The Green Bay Packers take on the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 8:30 PM. ET.
The Packers and the Vikings meet in a week 17 Sunday night showdown. The winner of this game will take the NFC North crown. Earlier this season, the Packers defeated the Vikings on the road in Minnesota. Going into that game, the Vikings hype train was full speed ahead. The loss to the Packers derailed the Vikings for a few weeks. They lost two of their next three games to playoff bound opponents. In the two games since their two consecutive losses, the Vikings have held their opponents to 17 points each, while scoring 38 and 49 points.
The Packers, however, have lost a few curious games this season to division opponents. At home this season, the Packers have lost to Detroit and Chicago. After getting destroyed by Arizona in the desert, the Packers need to rally against a Vikings squad looking for a division crown.
Last week, the Vikings dominated the Giants. Teddy Bridgewater had another solid performance. Bridgewater threw for 168 yards and one touchdown. His stats might not light the world on fire, but he manages the game and doesn’t turn the ball over. More importantly, he keeps the opposing defenses honest by not allowing them to key in on the running game. None of the Vikings’ receivers had more than four receptions. Bridgewater targeted Wallace six times but he only managed two receptions for 11 yards. The Viking offense isn’t reliant on the passing game, but it requires balance. Bridgewater managed to complete a pass to seven different receivers. By spreading the ball around, the Vikings keep opposing defenders off-balance.
The Packers had cruised along after a rocky midpoint to their season. But they hit a huge wall last week that showed just how big the divide is between them and the top NFC teams. The Cardinals are a popular Super Bowl pick out of the NFC, despite the Panthers run at an undefeated season. Against the Cardinals, Green Bay lost 38-8. Aaron Rodgers threw for 151 yards and one touchdown and one interception. The Packers offense wasn’t their only unit that struggled. The Cardinals dominated Green Bay through the air. They surrendered 269 yards through the air and two touchdowns.
A player to watch this week for the Vikings is Adrian Peterson. It’s no surprise that Adrian Peterson is the only running back with over 300 carries this season. The Vikings offense revolves around Peterson. It’s a run first offense and Teddy Bridgewater and the passing game compliment that wonderfully. The Vikings need to ride Peterson to victory in this game. Expect a twenty plus carry hundred plus yardage day for Peterson.
A player to watch this week for the Packers is Eddie Lacy. Against the Cardinals, Lacy rushed for 60 yards and had one catch for 28 yards and touchdown. Lacy was the only Packer to have any success against the Cardinals stout defense. Aaron Rodgers is struggling to make anything happen in the passing game and needs the balance that Lacy Brings to the offense to have success.
Packers Vs Vikings Betting Lines
BetOnline.ag has the Packers favored to win this game by 3 points. The over/under on total points scored is 45.5 points. You can read our full BetOnline review here.
My Pick
The Packers offensive line has been an issue all season. By the end of last week’s game, the Packers were playing all of their reserve lineman. Against the Cardinals, the Packers gave up eight sacks for 70 yards. Against the Giants, the Vikings generated four sacks for 30 yards. That kind of pressure on Eli Manning helped force three interceptions. The Vikings’ defense is going to cause problems for Aaron Rodgers and the Packer offensive line. Expect the Vikings to dominate on the defensive line in route to an NFC North division crown.
Play: Vikings +3
NFL Week 17 Betting • Packers • Sunday Night • Vikings