It is the marquee game of Week 17 as the 11-4 Packers visit the 13-2 Vikings in a game that is important for both teams when it comes to playoff seeding. For Green Bay, the division is out of reach but a win would give the Packers a chance at the No. 5 seed heading into Week 18, and would put them in good shape to avoid dropping to the No. 7. While the Vikings need a win or a Lions loss against the 49ers next week to ensure that their Week 18 matchup in Detroit decides the NFC North.
Green Bay Packers
It’s not a must win game against Minnesota but it’s still important for the Packers. Off a shutout against the Saints, Green Bay hits the road playing its best football of the season. In their last four wins, the Packers defense has created 8 turnovers and recorded 17 sacks while allowing an average of just 10 PPG. The offense has scored at least 30 points in five straight games and Jordan Love has thrown 8 touchdowns and zero interceptions while engineering long, efficient drives. A good start is the key as the Pack have scored on their opening drive in two straight games and in three of the last four wins. The running game is No. 4 in the NFL averaging 147.1 YPG but faces the second-best run defenses as the Vikings allow just 87.1 yards per game. Back in Week 4, in Love’s first game back from a knee injury, the Packers fell behind 28-0 before a second half comeback fell short as the Vikings won a thriller, 31-29.
Minnesota Vikings
With an eight-game winning streak, the Vikings are now 13-2 this season, including a 7-1 record at home and 6-1 on the road. Heading into week 17, the Vikings’ offense is averaging 26.4 points per game, 9th best overall and 12th in total yards per game with 346.3. Sam Darnold threw for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns in Week 16, going 22/35 without an interception. Justin Jefferson had 10 catches for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Aaron Jones rushed for 67 yards on 18 carries. The Vikings struggled on 3rd down, converting just 3 of 12 attempts, but they scored on both of their red zone trips. The Vikings defense allows just 18.4 PPG, 2nd best overall and lead the NFL in interceptions with 22 and are No. 2 with 30 total takeaways.
Best Bet: Vikings -1.5
The Vikings need this to have any shot of winning the division and trying to take that No. 1 seed in the NFC. They haven’t swept Green Bay since 2017 and can do it at home and extend their winning streak to a league high, 8 eight games. The Packers know they’ll be in the playoffs as a wild card team and could end up resting key players if Minnesota jumped out to a big lead.
Player Prop Best Bets
Justin Jefferson: OVER Receiving Yards
After a stretch of where he averaged just 52 yards over a three-game stretch, Justin Jefferson has come alive racking up 448 yards in the last four games which included 144 yards against the Seahawks. He’s also found the end zone 5 times in the last three weeks. JJ had 6 catches for 85 yards and a score against the Packers back in Week 4. And in 2022, he torched the Pack for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
Josh Jacobs: UNDER Rushing Yards
Hear me out on this one. On Monday night, Josh Jacobs was on his way to well over 100 yards rushing. But then, something happened. The Saints were a no show prompting coach Matt LaFleur to rest his top back. Green Bay racked up 188 rushing yards with Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks getting a lot of carries. With a playoff spot locked up, the Packers may want to give their top offensive weapon some rest and to avoid injury as they head into the playoffs.
Props have yet to be released at time of writing, but check website for latest odds
Game Betting Odds
Packers +1.5
VIkings -1.5
Total: 49
Moneyline: Green Bay +100, Minnesota -120
Recent Betting Trends
Minnesota has gone 9-4-2 ATS this season
The Vikings have gone OVER six times this season
Minnesota is 10-2 SU as moneyline favorites
Vikings are 6-2 ATS at home while going 7-1 SU
Packers are 8-6-1 ATS this year
Green Bay is 5-2 on the road and 3-3-1 ATS away from home
