Vikings vs Packers NFL Week 17 Betting Preview
by Ian S. Palmer
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The NFC North Division will go down to the wire as the Minnesota Vikings will take on the Green Bay Packers for the division title when they battle it out at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Sunday, January 3. Both teams have identical 10-5 records on the season as they enter its final weekend. The winner will finish 11-5 and take the crown while the loser will finish in second place with a mark of 10-6. However, both clubs have already clinched a playoff spot no matter what happens on Sunday.
Vikings vs Packers – Pinnacle NFL BETTING LINE:
- Pinnacle currently lists the Packers at -3 at -119 with the Vikings +3 at +108 and the over/under at 46.5 points with both of them at -105
The Vikings are coming off a 47-19 demolition job over the New York Giants at home last week while the Packers were smoked 38-8 in Arizona by the Cardinals. The Vikings and Packers met in week 11 action back in November in Minnesota with Green Bay leaving town with a 30-13 victory. The Packers are hoping to clinch their fifth straight divisional title.
Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had a relatively quiet game in the blowout over the Giants as he racked up 168 passing yards by going 15 for 25. However, Adrian Peterson and the squad’s defense were in top form and that was the difference. Peterson scored a touchdown and carried the ball 22 times got 104 yards and the defense intercepted Eli Manning on three occasions and sacked him four times. Peterson didn’t have a good game against Green Bay in week 11 though as he ran for just 45 yards. He still leads the league in rushing this year with his 1,418 yards.
Minnesota was boosted by the return of nose tackle Linval Joseph, safety Harrison Smith and linebacker Anthony Barr and their presence will certainly help in the playoffs. They may also make a difference this weekend since the Packers’ are missing several players with injuries. The Vikings enter the game with a lot of confidence and momentum as they’ve won four out of their past six road games and have covered the spread in each one of them.
The Packers were nowhere near their best in Arizona as they struggled on both sides of the ball. Their offensive line wasn’t up to par and quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked eight times as a result. Rodgers was charged with three of the side’s five fumbles and they resulted in costly turnovers. Things won’t get any easier for Rodgers this weekend since Bryan Bulaga has an injured ankle and the squad’s replacement tackles haven’t been sharp. Green Bay will need a strong ground attack and they’ll be facing Minnesota’s mediocre rush defense. The Packers ran for 124 yards in Minneapolis back in week 11.
Minnesota doesn’t have the greatest pass protection either as Bridgewater was sacked half a dozen times in their first meeting this campaign. Green Bay has a fine home record against the Vikings lately with an 8-1-1 mark in their past 10 meetings at Lambeau Field and are 7-3 against the spread. The two teams tied in 2013 when the Packers were missing Rodgers with an injury. This should be a close and exciting game with either team capable of taking the division title.
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