Sunday marks the beginning of a new year, and potentially a new opportunity for the upstart Green Bay Packers. After a dismal first half of their season, the Packers have responded in a big way of late, as Aaron Rodgers has grown in his confidence with his new crop of rookie receivers. Both Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson have invigorated this Green Bay attack through the air, and after an upset victory on Christmas Day vs. Miami, the Packers now have an opening to the NFC playoffs.
Will Justin Jefferson set another career high in this week's matchup against the Packers?
đź“ş: #MINvsGB — Sunday 4:25pm ET on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/K5Y0vrv6HQ— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2022
It’ll take a healthy Watson and more winning though – a task easier said than done as they welcome an impressive Vikings squad to Lambeau Field. Minnesota sits comfortably atop the division and have clinched a playoff spot, but the added bonus of homefield throughout the post-season is always a tantalizing proposition. For the Packers, they must win out, and receive some help to qualify. You better believe the rival Vikings will be keen on ending Green Bay’s season at their home in Lambeau Field.
#Packers WR Christian Watson is considered to be a true game-time decision with a hip injury that severely limited his practice time this week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 1, 2023
While the Packers are slightly banged up with Christian Watson iffy to suit up, and Aaron Rodgers battling a knee injury – Green Bay will finally be getting back key offensive lineman David Bakhtiari to the fold. He’ll solidify a lot of what the Packers do when they possess the football, and watching him battle a sturdy Minnesota defensive front should be fascinating.
With two catches today, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson would reach 321 for his career, the most by any player ever in his first 3 NFL seasons.
With 209 receiving yards today, he would break Calvin Johnson's record (1,964) for the most in a single season ever. pic.twitter.com/aYCIL7SEmh
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 1, 2023
It’s always thrilling when these two bitter rivals meet up, and even more intense when Green Bay and Minnesota have a ton on the line. The Packers need a win, and Minnesota can end their season. For further insight on this battle between struggling squads, continue reading on beneath the posted odds for a full matchup preview, trends, and the latest information to help you make an informed decision for Week 17’s Green Bay vs. Minnesota showdown!
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Live Odds & Betting History
Betting odds provided by BOVADA
| TEAMS | PACKERS | VIKINGS |
| MONEYLINE | +150 | -170 |
| SPREAD | +3 (-110) | -3 (-110) |
| TOTAL | Over 47.5 (-110) | Under 47.5 (-110) |
| TEAM DATA | VIKINGS | PACKERS |
| Overall Record | 12-3 | 7-8 |
| ATS Record | 6-8-1 | 7-8-0 |
| Home/Away Record | 5-2 | 5-4 |
| Points Per Game | 25.3 | 20.3 |
| Points Against Per Game | 24.6 | 22.9 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 259.8 | 219.2 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 94.2 | 131.9 |
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction
While the Vikes don’t necessarily have the same motivational edge entering Sunday’s big matchup, they are a much better squad at home, and will value the opportunity to bring a crushing end to the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay… potentially.
Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers are 40-14 in the month of December.
His Packers have won 74% of their games in the most important month of the regular season.
12 always gives you a chance.
When it’s all said and done, his December dominance will be a large part of his legacy. pic.twitter.com/Kp7xMJPfwp
— PackersHistory.com (@PackersHistory1) December 24, 2022
And though Green Bay has put together some much better showings of late, it’s going to be hard for that to continue on Sunday afternoon, especially with rookie wideout Christian Watson badly banged up. While he might be able to suit up in this one, you do have to wonder about his mobility with a nagging hip issue.
The Vikings’ pass defense remains problematic, and an area of improvement for this talented group as they prepare for the post-season. That said, without Watson at his full ability, don’t be surprised to see the Packers’ offense stall in certain throwing situations.
On the other side of the football, Green Bay’s defense has not lived up to its lofty expectations going back to the outset of this season. Their pressure hasn’t been great along the defensive line, and that could result in giving Kirk Cousins all kinds of time and space in the pocket. Nobody within Green Bay’s secondary is good enough to cover Justin Jefferson, and if you go way back to Week 1 in September – Jefferson shredded this Packers’ stop unit.
Kirk Cousins has clearly outperformed Aaron Rodgers in 2022 but the media will tell you Cousins is “inconsistent” #Skol pic.twitter.com/j5O4iDqhk9
— Rick Sosa (@sosarick) January 1, 2023
On the ground, Dalvin Cook continues to be one of the game’s premier gainers coming out of the backfield. Green Bay’s run defense is among the worst in football, and a consistent effort from Dalvin Cook will wear down the Packers’ defensive front, and further open up options through the air for the talented Vikings’ attack.
Packers vs. Vikings Trends To Know:
- Vikings are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Packers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Home team is 9-4 ATS in their last 13 meetings.
- Vikings are 3-10 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
The Packers might have improved offensively as this season has progressed, but their defensive unit hasn’t followed. The Vikings are talented and explosive on offense, and should be able to score at will on Sunday evening. Christian Watson remains a huge question mark for this game, and as a result it appears that the Vikings should be the rightful favorites here in Week 17.
