The Green Bay Packers are playing a must-win game on Sunday against the Vikings. But does that mean the Packers will actually defeat a 12-3 Vikings team?
Let’s see what the NFL odds have to say about it.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, January 1, 2022, 4:25 PM ET at Lambeau Field
The Minnesota Vikings are 12-3 heading into their game against a Green Bay Packers team that “has to win” to bolster their playoff chances. But the team that “needs to win” doesn’t always win.
The Minnesota Vikings are potentially frauds. They’ve won many games while holding a point differential close to 0. It makes no sense except that the Vikings find ways to win close games.
Sometimes it’s luck. But when you do it over ten times in a season, it becomes an art. The Vikings know how to close out games.
Meanwhile, the Packers have won three straight games against the Bears, Rams, and Dolphins. They even had a loss to the Titans earlier in November.
I wouldn’t trust the Packers.
Will Green Bay Continue 3-Game Winning Streak?
The Packers are healthy offensively. They scored at least 24 points in their last three wins. However, the Packers haven’t even earned 21 points per game throughout the season.
The quarterback play out of Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been bad and the offense is good. However, the execution has lacked this season. They’ve earned over 350 yards per game, but only 123.1 yards are coming on the ground.
This isn’t good, knowing you have A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones on the roster. Those two have to be used more.
Minnesota’s Performance So Far
Meanwhile, the Vikings have given up 416.9 yards per game on the defensive end. They’ve also allowed 24.9 points per game. The defense looks a lot worse than it is. They’ve made some big plays in big moments down the stretch.
Minnesota has looked great against the run and continues to tackle without hiccups. The pass rush is also effective, and the secondary has played well for the most part.
The Vikings are very inconsistent defensively, but that hasn’t stopped them from coming up big in significant moments.
Can the Vikings Continue Ridiculous Offensive Pace?
The Vikings have earned just 375.5 yards per game and 25.2 points per game. The offense is executing, unlike the Packers. They’re earning fewer yards than the defense is giving up, but they’ve scored more points.
Kirk Cousins has thrown 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions but has 4,117 yards passing. He’s found Justin Jefferson 123 times for 1756 yards and eight touchdowns. They’ve got the best connection in football.
The run game is also impressive behind Dalvin Cook, who has 1109 yards on 244 carries with eight touchdowns. The Vikings have an underrated offensive line that has played very well in the run game. They’ve also given Cousins plenty of time in the pocket in significant pressure situations to make plays.
How’s the Green Bay Offense Doing?
Meanwhile, the Packers have given up 144.4 yards per game on the ground. They’ve struggled to tackle too. Green Bay has played better in coverage and has a respectable pass rush, but if the run game gets going early for the Vikings, the Packers will struggle to stop this Vikings offense.
Minnesota has so many weapons that they can use to keep defenses off-balanced and that’s ultimately why they’re 12-3 on the year.
Final Verdict
The Green Bay Packers need to win; therefore, the public will be all over the Packers, at home, against the Vikings. The Vikings had already won their division, but that will not stop them from trying to get the one seed in the NFC.
The Eagles are playing without Jalen Hurts, giving the Vikings a chance to jump the Eagles over the last two games. So the Vikings are still playing for something, too.
Minnesota has been much better offensively and has a better matchup than the Packers. Green Bay doesn’t utilize its best players well enough, but the Vikings do. Justin Jefferson has had a career year for the Vikings, while A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones are left in the dark. Jones has 982 yards rushing but just two rushing touchdowns.
The Packers have also needed to improve in the passing game.
The leading receiver is Allen Lazard, who has just 51 catches for 688 yards. Lazard is playing next to a bunch of rookies who have been hot and cold this year. We’re not even sure if Christian Watson will be able to play in this game. Aaron Jones is also listed as questionable.
I warned you. Lay off the Packers’ steam. The Vikings are 12-3 for a reason.
NFL Pick: Vikings ML (+165) at Bet365
