Packers vs Vikings Betting / Handicapping
Single-digit temperatures have arrived in Minneapolis, but winter is a little less dreary this year. The Timberwolves are actually decent, and on Sunday the Vikings will be playing what amounts to a playoff game when they take on the Packers.
Green Bay Packers (11-4) at Minnesota Vikings (9-6)
Sunday, Dec. 30
Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
4:25 p.m. EST
Spread – Packers -3.5 at GTBets.eu
O/U – 46
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Last week’s unexpected win over the Texans in Houston has made it possible for the Vikings – who at suppertime on Dec. 2 were 6-6 and going nowhere fast after losing for the fourth time in five weeks – to actually sneak into the playoffs. (They can even get in with a loss, but several other teams would also have to lose.)
Besides a 10-6 record and a playoff spot (where they might even take on Green Bay for a second straight week), the Vikings will be trying to get Adrian Peterson the single-season NFL rushing record. AP needs 208 yards to beat Eric Dickerson’s record, which seems ridiculous until you recall that he had 210 vs. Green Bay on Dec. 2.
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Minnesota actually lost that game, mainly because the Vikes turned the ball over three times (two Christian Ponder INTs), and they’ll have to protect the ball this time to win – even if Peterson goes off again.
The Packers won’t be without motivation. With San Francisco figuring to take care of Arizona at home, the Niners expect to finish the year at 10-4-1.
Green Bay would need to beat the Vikings and end up 11-4 to clinch the No. 2 NFC playoff spot and a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The last thing they want is to head back to Green Bay and begin immediate preparations for a second game against the Vikings in six or seven days.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
Green Bay players have gushed about Peterson all week, one (Greg Jennings) even going so far as to say that he hopes that AP does break Dickerson’s record. NFL old-timers would rather throw up than be on the team that sets that kind of record, but times are different.
THE PICK
Bettors are split right down the middle on this one, which means that the line is not going anywhere.
The Vikings think they can run on Green Bay, but the Packers defense has given up and average of fewer than 14 points a game during its current 4-game winning streak.
And Aaron Rodgers may be too much for the Vikings defense to handle. Looks like a field goal game, so GB and the points.
If Peterson has a decent first half and GB is not winning big at the break, bet the under in the second half because the Vikings will keep the ball on the ground as long as there’s a chance for the record.
