It’s perfect conditions for an old Black and Blue Divisional grudge match as the 12-3 Vikings visit the 7-8 Packers Sunday afternoon at what should be a temperate Lambeau Field. Minnesota is already the NFC North champion and might still have a shot at the No. 1 seed for the upcoming NFC playoffs. Green Bay, with three straight wins, still harbors hopes of a wild-card bid. And you know the Vikes would love to kick the Packers out of the playoff picture.
Minnesota owns the much better record and won the first meeting between these teams earlier this season, but Green Bay’s favored by three and a hook for Sunday.
Which way are we going here with our free Minn/GB pick?
NFL Betting Lines
The Week 17 NFL betting odds opened Green Bay as a three-point favorite for Sunday, with an over/under of right around 44.5. Early betting action then edged the Packers to -3.5 and bumped that total to 48.
Vikings-Packers NFL Betting Preview
Minnesota is 4-1 its last five times out after outlasting the Giants at home last Saturday 27-24. The Vikings scored the first 10 points of the game, and from there, things played out like they typically do when Minnesota is involved this season. The Vikes fell down in the third quarter 13-10, led 24-16 with three minutes left, let New York tie the score at 24-24 a minute later, then won it on a 61-yard field goal at the buzzer.
Never a dull moment with this Minnesota outfit.
The Vikings got out-gained by the Giants 445-353 and out-rushed 126-83 but won the turnover battle 2-0, creating at least a +6 points differential.
The Vikings have now actually been out-gained by six of their last seven opponents and out-rushed by each of their last three foes. They just keep winning close games.
Two weeks ago, Minnesota trailed Indianapolis 33-0 at halftime, then came all the way back to win 39-36 in overtime. Three weeks ago, the Vikings lost soundly at Detroit 34-23. Honestly, a few plays here and there and the Vikes might be winless their last three times out. And they are 0-3 ATS over their last three games, favored by a bit too much.
Nonetheless, at 12-3 overall, Minnesota trails Philadelphia by a game and a tie-breaker in the battle for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. To overtake the Eagles, the Vikings must win out and get Philly to lose its last two games.
Bettors should note that Philadelphia plays at home Sunday against New Orleans, and that game should be over before this game kicks off. If the Eagles beat the Saints Minnesota really won’t have much to play for.
Green Bay, meanwhile, rides a three-game winning streak into Sunday after beating the Dolphins in Miami last Sunday 26-20. The Packers fell down to the Dolphins 20-10 late in the second quarter and trailed 20-13 at the half. But Green Bay then scored the only 13 points of the second half and secured the victory with interceptions on its last three defensive series of the game.
The Packers got out-gained by Miami 376-301, but 84 of the yards the Green Bay defense allowed came on one play. The Pack also won the turnover battle 4-1, creating a +9 points differential.
Green Bay has actually been out-gained by five of its last six opponents.
Two games ago, the Packers beat the Rams 24-12 and covered at -8. Three games ago, Green Bay rallied to win at Chicago 28-19 and covered at -3.5.
At 7-8 overall, the Packers trail Washington, which is 7-7-1, by just a half-game and a tie-breaker in the battle for the No. 7 spot in the NFC playoff standings.
Vikings-Packers Recent History
Minnesota is 3-1 SU and ATS over the last four meetings between these teams. Back in Week 1, the Vikings rather thoroughly out-played Green Bay and won the first meeting between these teams this season 23-7 up in Minneapolis, covering at -3.
Also, that game played under a total of 47.
- Get more details: Minnesota at Green Bay 1/1/23 Betting Stats
Totals Report
- The Overs are 10-5 in Vikings games this season, which are averaging 50 total points.
- The Unders are 8-7 in Packers games this season, which are averaging 43 points.
- The Overs are 4-1 over the last five meetings between these teams.
- Through Week 16, the Unders are 136-101 (57 percent) in the NFL this season.
