Packers vs. Vikings Point Spread: NFL Week 17 Odds, Prediction
Minnesota is a 2.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Neither Green Bay nor Minnesota can win the NFC North as Detroit clinched that in Week 16. The Packers and Vikings had largely dominated that division this century, but the Pack are starting anew at quarterback with Jordan Love and the Vikes lost starter Kirk Cousins for the season several weeks ago.
Both clubs are 7-8 along with Atlanta and New Orleans in the NFC. Minnesota is the highest of that group at No. 8, one spot out of the final wild card spot with Green Bay 10th. Neither club can clinch a spot in Week 17, but the loser is basically done – especially if it’s Green Bay. Via Next Gen Stats from NFL.com, the Vikings currently have a 31 per cent shot of reaching the playoffs. That jumps to 49 per cent with a win but falls to 5 with a loss. The Packers are at 25 per cent, jumping to 55 with a win and 1 with a loss.
Minnesota tries for a season sweep as it was a 24-10 winner at Lambeau Field in Week 8 as a 1-point favourite with Cousins throwing for 274 yards and two scores before leaving with what would prove a season-ending Achilles injury. Vikes star WR Justin Jefferson was on injured reserve then but is back now. Jordan Love threw for 229 yards with a TD and pick, but the Packers did little on the ground. They held the ball for less than 24 minutes of game time.
The teams have split the past 10 meetings SU and ATS.
Green Bay Packers
Arguably the most embattled coordinator in the NFL right now is Packers DC Joe Barry, and he is lucky to still be employed after his unit gave up 30 points and 394 yards Sunday in Charlotte against an inept Panthers offence, but the Pack were able to prevail 33-30 on a 32-yard field goal from Anders Carlson with 19 seconds left after the team blew a 14-point lead. Jordan Love was pretty sharp in completing 17 of 28 for 219 yards and two TDs while running for a score. No. 1 running back Aaron Jones has had a disappointing season and been in and out of the lineup due to injury but looked finally healthy with 127 yards on 21 carries. The Packers entered with just one individual 100-yard scrimmage game all season — 41 rushing and 86 receiving by Jones in Week 1 at Chicago. The Packers improved to 20-2 all-time when Jones has rushed for at least 90 yards in a game and 16-2 when he has hit the century mark. Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander returned from injury but No. 1 wideout Christian Watson remained out.
Minnesota Vikings
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has not decided whether his quarterback will be Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs or fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall this week. Mullens has started the past two and put up big yardage numbers but also a total of six picks. He also missed a wide-open Justin Jefferson in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 30-24 defeat vs. Detroit, which has O’Connell thinking about a change. Dobbs is 2-2 this year as Minnesota’s starter but was originally benched because he kept turning the ball over. Hall started Week 9 in Atlanta but was knocked out with a concussion in the first half and that originally opened the door for Dobbs to take over under centre. Some awful news in Sunday’s loss as Pro Bowl tight end TJ Hockenson blew out his knee and is done for the season – and may not be ready to start the 2024 campaign. Pass-rusher DJ Wonnum (eight sacks) also suffered a season-ending injury Sunday. Rookie WR Jordan Addison injured his ankle and is day-to-day.