No team benefitted from not playing so far this weekend as the Minnesota Vikings did. With the Los Angeles Rams’ loss to San Francisco on Saturday night, the Vikings are now locked into a playoff berth. That being said, with a win against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, the Vikings can set themselves up to possibly win the NFC North next week. A win Monday night would tie things up atop the NFC North, as both teams would have an 11-4 record.
Green Bay has won its last three games since being blown out by the 49ers. Aaron Rodgers seems to think that the rest of the league and pundits alike have underestimated the Packers, but the explosiveness we’ve seen from Rodgers’ offense in years past just doesn’t seem to be there.
The Vikings have won their last two games after losing to the Seahawks by one possession. The Vikings are favored in this one by 4.5, with an over/under of 47.
Norse Strategy
The Vikings are a top-five rushing team in the NFL; unfortunately for them, they have to attempt to beat the Packers without their star running back Dalvin Cook, who ranks ninth in the league in rushing yards per game. Mike Boone will fill in for him in this one, just as he took over last week when Cook was hurt. After being inserted a week ago, Boone rushed 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns in a 39-10 blowout win over the Chargers.
While the Vikings defense ranks in the top half of the league, it doesn’t pop off the screen the way it has in years past under head coach Mike Zimmer. They rank only 18th in the league against the pass, which could spell trouble against Rodgers and leading wideout Davante Adams. They need to utilize their 11th-ranked sack percentage and try to pressure Rodgers into making bad throws.
Packing A Punch
Green Bay’s defense has shown up since being devastated by the 49ers a few weeks ago. The Packers have allowed 13, 15, and 13 points since allowing 37 to the Niners. Given that it’s been against the Giants, Redskins, and Bears, though, it’s not as impressive, but Rodgers still needs his defense to show up if he’s not going to throw for 350 yards per game anymore.
Despite having Rodgers at the helm, the Packers passing attack only ranks 20th in the NFL. Much of this can likely be attributed to their lack of weapons outside of Adams, with Adams missing five starts due to an injury.
Rodgers can’t do it all himself, but he makes up for a lot. In this important, late-season, divisional matchup, look for Rodgers to try and run the score up. If Kirk Cousins brings his A-game, look for a shootout.
King of the North
The Packers haven’t dominated the NFC North quite the way that the Patriots have owned the AFC East, but they’ve been close to it in recent years. Rodgers owns this division and isn’t ready to pass the torch just yet.
Green Bay is 9-5 against the spread this season, while Minnesota is 8-6. That being said, the Vikings are 4-2 against the spread at home, the same as the Packers are on the road. To be real here, Packers plus anything looks to be a solid bet. The pick here is Green Bay to win and lock up the NFC North.
