Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings NFL Preview and Odds
The last week of the regular season in the NFL is upon us. The game this week between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings could hardly be any bigger. Not only are we talking about two long time rivals in the NFC North, one of football's most tradition rich divisions, we also may have some lingering resentment over the fact that Packers great Brett Favre played for the Vikings for a season before his retirement.
History
But even without all of that, there are the playoff implications in the hotly contested NFC, many of which are tied to this game. The eyes of the NFL will all be on this game in Minnesota this Sunday.
The Packers have already won the NFC North, but they are still trying to hold on to the all-important number two spot in the NFC. The Packers are 11-4, good for second place if they win on Sunday. But the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are right on their heels. Should the Pack lose and one of those two win on Sunday, they will drop to the third spot and will have to play in the first round.
The Vikings are in a precarious spot at 9-6. If they win, they will be in the playoffs. But if they lose, they are likely out. The Chicago Bears are also 9-6 and with a win would pass the Vikings for the second wild card spot. The Seahawks/49ers runner-up will claim the first spot. Should the Vikings, Bears and also the Dallas Cowboys lose, then the door would open up for the defending champion New York Giants to get into the post season.
The meeting will be the second this month between the Vikings and Packers. Green Bay won on December 2 at Lambeau Field 23-14. Morgan Burnett of he Packers had two big interceptions in that game.
In 103 meetings, the Packers lead the all time series 54-48-1. The largest margin came last season when Green Bay won 45-7. The Packers have won ten of the previous 13 games as well.
Adrian Peterson of the Vikings is trying to close out one of the greatest rushing seasons of all time. He currently has 1898 yards. A 102 yard effort would het him to 2000 on the season. A 208-yard game, which he is capable of would give him the single season rushing record for the NFL.
Our Pick
5Dimes has the Packers at -3.5 +100 or -185. The Vikings are +3.5 -120 or +160. Over/under on this game is 46. This game has so much riding on it. It is going to be a great game to watch. We're going to take the Vikings +3.5 and the over.
One thing we do know is the weather will have no effect on this game. That is unless the roof caves in between now and Sunday, which has happened before.
