Prediction 1
Green Bay (-1) to cover vs. Minnesota Alternate Spread
(-165)
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Odds from
Prediction 2
AJ Dillon anytime TD scorer Player Prop
(+120)
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Odds from
By Lawrence Smelser
Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers Week 17 matchup preview and current betting lines
NFC North foes Minnesota and Green Bay will face off on Sunday at 3:25 p.m. at Lambeau Field. CBS is broadcasting the matchup.
It’s a must-win contest for the Packers at 7-8. Green Bay seemed to be out of the playoffs at 4-8 but has managed to earn three consecutive wins over Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. If they can beat Minnesota this week, and Detroit in week 18, they’ll more than likely earn the No. 7 seed in the NFC.
Minnesota (12-3) has earned the division title but is unable to catch the No. 1 seed in the NFC, Philadelphia (13-2) if the Eagles win at 1 p.m. versus New Orleans. The top seed is given a first-round bye and a spot in the divisional playoffs.
If the Eagles (favored) win, Minnesota will be playing to remain as the No. 2 seed. If head coach Kevin O’Connell rests his starters, he’d likely only do so deep into the fourth quarter.
The Vikings enter the game after a 27-24 win over the Giants. Greg Joseph nailed a 61-yard field goal at the end of the final quarter to finalize the triumph.
Green Bay is coming off of a 26-20 Christmas Day victory over the Dolphins. After falling behind 20-13 in the third quarter, the Packers scored 13 points to find themselves within one victory of a .500 record.
The moneyline odds featured on BetMGM are Minnesota (+145) vs. Green Bay (-175). Oddsmakers favor the green and white to win by 3.5 points. The total is set at 48 points.
Among the public, 63% percent of bets are on the Vikings to cover the +3.5-point spread and 81% of the money is on Green Bay to win straight up.
Players to watch in the Vikings vs. Packers contest
Minnesota
Justin Jefferson: The former LSU Tiger has exploded this season and is regarded by many to be the best wide receiver in the NFL. Jefferson leads the league in both receptions (123) and yards (1,756). He’s also caught eight touchdowns (T-5th).
Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers: The four-time MVP has dealt with a rib injury and a fractured thumb this season and hasn’t always looked his best. Rodgers has played better these past three weeks during the win streak. The 2011 Super Bowl champion has thrown for 3,331 yards, 24 touchdowns (T-8th) and 11 interceptions this campaign.
Our NFL bet of the week for the Vikings vs. Packers
ESTNN is providing bettors with two free selections for this game.
Minnesota vs. Green Bay Alternate Spread: Packers -1 @ -165 (BetMGM)
This might not be the same as the “relax” scenario from 2014 when Aaron Rodgers won out and won the postseason but if the Packers manage to win the next two games and other teams lose out, it’ll be nicknamed with another phrase the back-to-back MVP said this season.
Green Bay’s offense was stagnant for most of the season but has improved with rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs maturing quickly at the wide receiver position.
The Packers rank 16th in total offense averaging 342.6 yards per game and are tied for 18th in points per contest (20.9). On the other side of the ball, they are 17th in both total defense (336.8 yards surrendered per week) and in points allowed (22.3).
During its three-game winning streak, Green Bay is scoring 26 points per game and the defense is giving up just 17 points per outing.
The Vikings have a top-10 offensive unit and are scoring 25.2 points per game (7th) while posting 354.5 yards per week (12th). Their defense is where the woes come in and rank second-worst in the league for total defense (402.3 YPG) and fifth-worst in points allowed (24.9).
Matt LaFleur and his Packers are 4-2 against the spread in their last six games and are 9-4 ATS in the previous 13 games played at home against the purple and gold. The Vikings are 2-4 ATS in their prior six outings and are 1-8 ATS in their last nine games against NFC oppositions.
At ESTNN, we believe the Eagles will beat the Saints at 1 p.m. giving the Vikings less to play for. The Packers will come out hungry and have figured out many of their recent issues.
Our pick is to take Green Bay to cover an alternate 1-point spread. BetMGM Sportsbook is offering -165 odds for the bet.
Vikings vs. Packers odds: AJ Dillon anytime touchdown scorer @ +120 (DraftKings)
LaFleur’s plan for this season was to lean on the running game after Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams departed for Las Vegas. The head coach has done exactly that in recent games and has made Dillon the primary goalline ball carrier.
Dillon has found the end zone in four straight games. Throughout that span, he’s scored five touchdowns.
The Boston College product has seen 10 red zone rushing attempts in the last four contests which is an average of 2.5 per game. He’s ranked tied for 7th in the NFL during weeks 13-16.
Against a weak Minnesota rush defense, Dillon should have plenty of opportunities once again. We believe it’s wise to take Dillon at +120 odds to score anytime at DraftKings Sportsbook.
If you’re interested in learning about more prop bets for week 17, read our NFL player props page.
Frequently asked questions regarding Minnesota vs. Green Bay in Week 17
Cobb was drafted 64th overall during the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Kentucky.
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