In this article, we will formulate a Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, December 29th at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 17 matchup.
Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview
The Minnesota Vikings are 13-2 this year after they defeated the Seahawks by a score of 27-24 in their last game. Minnesota trailed 24-20 with 4:21 left in the game, but they were able to drive down and score the winning touchdown. The Vikings were outgained by a total of 361-298, won the turnover battle 2-0, and went 3-12 on third down in the game. Sam Darnold threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns, while Justin Jefferson caught 10 passes for 144 yards and two scores.
Prior to that win, the Vikings won seven games in a row, with three of them coming by double digits. The Minnesota offense has scored 26.4 points per game with 235.3 passing yards and 111.1 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 18.4 points per game this season. Sam Darnold has completed 67.2% of his passes for 3,776 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while Justin Jefferson has caught 92 passes for 1,387 yards and 10 scores this year.
Green Bay Packers Betting Preview
The Green Bay Packers are 11-4 this season after they defeated the Saints by a score of 34-0 in their last game. Green Bay led 21-0 at halftime and they cruised to an easy victory in the second half. The Packers outgained NO by a total of 404-196, won the turnover battle 2-0, and went 6-13 on third down in the game. Jordan Love threw for 182 yards and one touchdown, while Josh Jacobs rushed for 69 yards and one score in the win.
Prior to that game, the Packers defeated the Seahawks by a score of 30-13 but did lose to Detroit by a score of 34-31 before that. Green Bay has scored 27.5 points per game with 230.4 passing yards and 147.3 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 19.1 points per game this season. Jordan Love has completed 63.2% of his passes for 3,135 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while Josh Jacobs has rushed for 1,216 yards and 13 scores this season.
Why the Vikings will beat the Packers
- The Vikings have won each of their last eight games.
- The Packers have lost each of their last five games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Vikings have covered the spread in each of their last five games before a Division game.
- The Packers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against NFC North opponents.
- The Vikings have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four games as home favorites against NFC North opponents.
- The Vikings have won the first half in 12 of their last 13 home games against the Packers following a win.
- The Vikings have won the first quarter in five of their last six games against teams that held a winning record.
Why the Packers will beat the Vikings
- The Packers have won each of their last eight Sunday road games.
- The Vikings have lost three of their last four games as favorites when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Packers have covered the spread in each of their last four Week 17 games against NFC North opponents.
- The Vikings have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four Week 17 games against NFC North opponents.
- The Packers have won the first half in each of their last four Week 17 games against NFC opponents.
- The Packers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last eight Sunday road games.
- The Packers have won the first quarter in eight of their last nine games as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Packers’ last seven road games following a home win has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Vikings’ last five Week 17 games against NFC North opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
Minnesota Vikings Player Prop Facts
- Sam Darnold has recorded 250+ passing yards in four of his last five appearances against NFC North opponents.
- T.J. Hockenson has recorded 50+ receiving yards in each of his last six appearances against NFC North opponents.
- Cam Akers has recorded 22+ rushing yards in each of his eight previous December home appearances.
- Aaron Jones has scored at least one touchdown in 12 of his 13 previous December appearances with his team as a home favorite against NFC opponents.
- Aaron Jones has recorded 106+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last six appearances against NFC North opponents.
- Sam Darnold has thrown two or more touchdowns in each of the Vikings’ last five Sunday games.
- Daniel Jones has recorded 21+ completions in each of his last five appearances against NFC North opponents.
- Shaquill Griffin is just one away from 10 career interceptions.
Green Bay Packers Player Prop Facts
- Christian Watson has recorded 94+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last four road appearances against NFC North opponents.
- Josh Jacobs has recorded 16+ receiving yards in nine of his last 10 road appearances against division opponents.
- Jordan Love has recorded 267+ passing yards in each of his last five Sunday appearances with the Packers as underdogs.
- Jayden Reed has scored the first touchdown in three of the Packers’ last four road games against NFC North opponents.
- Josh Jacobs has recorded 94+ rushing yards in four of the Packers’ last five Sunday games.
- Josh Jacobs has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Packers’ last six games.
- Jordan Love has thrown two or more touchdowns in each of his last five Sunday appearances with the Packers as road underdogs.
- Jordan Love has recorded 21+ completions in each of his last six Sunday regular-season appearances with the Packers as underdogs.
- Heading into Week 17, Xavier McKinney ranks T1st in the NFL in interceptions (7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Heading into Week 17, the Vikings rank 1st in the NFL in interceptions (22) this season.
- Heading into Week 17, the Vikings rank 32nd in the NFL in kickoff return yards per game (19.5) this season.
- Heading into Week 17, the Packers rank 1st in the NFL in Q1 opponent points per game (2.3) this season.
- Heading into Week 17, the Packers rank 1st in the NFL in Q4 opponent points per game (3.7) this season.
Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup already in the postseason, but they are still playing for seeding. The Vikings have won eight games in a row and they have scored at least 27 points in four of their last five. Green Bay is coming off of a blowout win against New Orleans and they have been very good on the road this season. The Vikings did beat the Packers earlier in the season by a score of 31-29 in Green Bay, and I think we are going to see another high-scoring game here. Both offenses are rolling right now, so take the over here.