Much of the luster is off this game after the announcement that the Green Bay Packers (7-7) have placed quarterback Aaron Rodgers next to the Elf on the Shelf. Still, it’s a game the Minnesota Vikings (11-3) must win if they want any chance at home field advantage in the playoffs.
Kick off is set for 8:30 p.m. EST at Lambeau Field Saturday night. The game will be broadcast on NBC and its network of affiliates.
The Game: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (+9)
O/U: 41.0
The History
The Packers and Vikings have faced off 114 times since 1961 with Green Bay holding a 60-52-2 advantage in the all-time series.
Earlier this season the Vikings beat the Packers 23-10 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota’s defense knocked Aaron Rodgers from the game, costing him two months and eventually the season. Case Keenum was 24-of-38 for 239 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (11-3)
The Vikings roll into this game off what may be their most impressive win of the season. They beat a talented Cincinnati Bengals team 34-7 at home and really had the game won in the first quarter, charging out to a 17-0 lead.
Case Keenum continues to make his “case” to be the long term answer at quarterback for Minnesota. That’s something I never thought I’d write, but there it is. If he can get this team to the Super Bowl and win it, it’s his job. Anything less and I think they let him walk and franchise Teddy Bridgewater.
Keenum was so good against the Bengals, Bridgewater actually got into the game. Case finished 20-of-23 for 236 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked twice. Running back Jerick McKinnon was his favorite target. McKinnon caught seven passes for 114 yards and rushed nine times for 24 yards. The heavy lifting in the run game came from Latavius Murray who finished with 20 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph were recipients of Keenum’s two touchdown passes.
On defense, the Vikings notched three sacks, six stops in the backfield and picked off Andy Dalton twice. Tramaine Brock probably won’t play Saturday. He has no official injury designation just yet, but he’s not practiced. Everyone else should suit up for Minnesota.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-7)
With the exception of Rodgers, the Packers should only be without two players. Devante Adams remains in the concussion protocol after a hit from the Carolina Panthers’ Thomas Davis. Demetri Goodson is dealing with a hamstring.
Clay Matthews and Jahri Evans are both questionable and neither guy has practiced this week. They may hold them both out just to be safe since Green Bay isn’t playing for anything but pride now.
Still, this is a dangerous Packers team with plenty of weapons coming to the field. Both their rookie running backs, Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, are healthy and the team hasn’t picked one to feature in the last few weeks. Randall Cobb caught seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers last week. Richard Rodgers, who seems to have been the lost man in the Green Bay passing machine, caught four for 77 and a score. Jordy Nelson continues to be a ghost as head coach Mike McCarthy has no clue how to draw a route that actually gets him open.
The defense did next to nothing against the Panthers. They sacked Cam Newton once and got just four stops in the backfield.
Brett Hundley’s last start was a 27-21 win over the Cleveland Browns. He completed 35-of-46 for 265 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
The Pick
If you look at the recent string of Vikings victories, it should stand out that a lot of these are closer games. Hundley isn’t Rodgers, but he’s decent enough to make this one closer than nine points. Minnesota doesn’t give a single shit about the spread. They want to win and maybe nab home field. This one will be closer than people think. Vikings 24, Packers 20
Last Week
Straight up: 14-2
Against the spread: 12-4
Season
Straight up: 139-85
Against the spread: 119-10
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