Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers Prediction: NFC North Rivals Meet in Potential Playoff Preview

Author:
Matt Josephs (Mid Major Matt)
Publish date:
Dec 30, 2022

It's a very important NFC North battle on Sunday when the Packers host the Vikings. Green Bay has a shot at the playoffs, and pretty much no one wants to see Aaron Rodgers in the postseason. Of course, they'll have to play better than they did in Week 1 if they hope to get a victory on Sunday, as Minnesota scored the first 23 points en route to a 23-7 win. Kirk Cousins outdueled Rodgers, who not only didn't throw a touchdown pass but also had an interception in the process.

Minnesota moved to 11-0 in one-score games last week by knocking off the Giants 27-24 at home on Christmas Eve. The Vikings got the walk-off victory when Greg Joseph crushed a 61-yard field goal with no time left on the clock. Justin Jefferson continued to make a case for MVP votes after hauling in 12 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Cousins was solid with three touchdown passes as a part of the unit that produced 353 yards. However, a mediocre New York offense gashed Minnesota for 445 yards in the loss.

The Packers, meanwhile, rang in Christmas with a 26-20 victory in Miami last week. Mason Crosby was particularly busy with four field goals for Green Bay, who has won three straight since losing eight of their first 12. Rodgers was 24-of-38 for 238 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Pack won despite being outgained by 75 yards, but the defense forced four Miami turnovers, including three interceptions from Tua Tagovailoa, who was later revealed to have been concussed.

Minnesota (12-3) at Green Bay (7-8)

Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 1 at 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Spread: Packers -3
Tickets: As low as $54 on SITickets.com*

Three Things to Watch

1. Playoff implicationsThis is an important game for both teams when it comes to postseason entrance and seeding. The easy one is the Vikings, who just need to win to keep up with an Eagles team that is essentially two games ahead after a Week 2 win. A victory also helps hold off the 49ers, who are one game behind Minnesota for the No. 2 seed. The VIkings are currently lining up to play either Washington, New York, or one of three other 7-8 squads vying for the final wild-card spot. One of those teams is Green Bay, which needs to win its final two games and have either the Commanders lose once or the Giants lose twice. There are some other scenarios where a loss doesn't eliminate them, but then things get really complicated.

2. Jefferson the MVP?We all know that the MVP award is a quarterback award, but Justin Jefferson is throwing his name into the mix. The wide receiver has gone over 100 yards in three straight and six of his last eight games as he has been constantly peppered with targets. In the last three weeks alone, the former LSU wideout has had a total of 47 targets that he turned into 35 receptions. He had an awesome Week 1 against the Packers, racking up 184 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Last year in Green Bay, Jefferson had only 58 receiving yards, and cornerback Jaire Alexander will most likely be following him wherever he lines up.

3. How do you want to beat them?The Vikings' defense isn't very good. They rank 19th in rushing defense (120.8 ypg) and they are dead last in passing defense (281.5 ypg). Back in Week 1, the gameplan heavily skewed to the pass as Rodgers threw it 34 times while Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon combined for just 15 carries on 94 yards. Jones hasn't been 100 percent healthy, so it could be a Dillon game, especially if the weather gets cold. That's not to say Green Bay won't try to go deep with Christian Watson getting more comfortable in the offense, but it could be better if they handed it off a lot more than they did in Week 1.

Final Analysis

Once again, the team with the better record is an underdog on the road after Minnesota was an underdog in Detroit just three weeks ago. Cousins has had some tough games in the cold in his career, and I think he could struggle once again this weekend. Green Bay is hot right now, and it's hard to bet against Rodgers in must-win games. Give me the home team as they inch closer to the postseason.