The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are ready to do battle indoors at U.S. Bank Stadium. ESPN has the TV rights and this pivotal Monday Night matchup kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Thursday Night FootballBetting Preview: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers
In a game featuring two franchises that could very well meet again in the NFC playoffs, Minnesota has been projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 4 points. The Packers are also receiving +150 moneyline odds while the Vikings are -170. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 46.5 points, and if one side can get out in front in the early stages, it’ll probably lead to a decent live betting opportunity.
The opening line was -5 while the O/U has yet to change since being initially set at 46.5.
Both of these teams have been profitable this year as the Packers have gained 7.3 units and the Vikings are ahead 4.0 units.
The Packers are 11-3 straight up (SU), including 4-0 SU against NFC North opponents. The Vikings are 10-4 SU overall and 2-2 SU versus divisional foes.
The Packers continue to ride high after a 21-13 victory over Chicago last week where their secondary allowed the Bears to air it out for 334 yards. Allen Robinson II had a productive day for the Bears in that one with 125 yards on seven catches. On the offense, Aaron Rodgers completed just 16-of-33 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown. Aaron Jones (51 rushing yards on 13 attempts, two TDs) provided the ground attack in the win while Davante Adams (seven receptions, 103 yards, one TD) and Geronimo Allison (two catches, 19 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Minnesota just earned a 39-10 win over the Chargers in Week 15. The defensive secondary allowed the Chargers to air it out for 307 yards. Keenan Allen was a bright spot in the loss for Los Angeles, accounting for 99 yards on nine catches. For Minnesota, Kirk Cousins completed 19-of-25 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Mike Boone (56 rushing yards on 13 attempts, two TDs) spearheaded the ground game in the win while Stefon Diggs (four receptions, 76 yards) and Kyle Rudolph (three catches, 48 yards) led the receiving corps.
Green Bay has run the ball on 42.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Minnesota has a rush percentage of 51.2 percent. The Packers have produced 106.5 rush yards/game (including 115.3 per game versus North opponents) and have 16 scores via handoffs this year. The Vikes are putting up 135.9 rushing yards per game (131 in conference) and have 18 total rush TDs.
It seems like the Vikes could have an edge when it comes to RB effectiveness. Their backfield has generated 4.4 yards per carry while the defense has allowed a YPC of 4.1 to opponents. The Packers have rushed for 4.3 yards per carry while allowing 4.6 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Packers offense has averaged 248.4 yards in the air overall (224.5 per game versus conference opposition) and has 24 passing scores so far. The Vikes have produced 248.6 pass yards per outing (261 in the NFC) and have 25 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Green Bay has allowed 120.9 rush yards and 268.1 pass yards per game. The Minnesota defense has allowed 262.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 99.0 yards per game on the ground. The Vikes are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.48 to opponents, while the Packers have given up a 6.11 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Rodgers is up to 3,268 yards this season, and has completed 63 percent of his 446 attempts with 23 passing scores and only two interceptions. Rodgers has a 7.19 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.05 over the last two games.
For the home team, Kirk Cousins has connected on 267-of-383 passes for 3,239 yards, 24 TDs and five INTs. Cousins’ ANY/A stands at 8.24 for the year and 7.79 over his last two outings.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings NFL Pick
SU Winner: Vikings, ATS Winner: Vikings, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- Minnesota has lost 11 fumbles this season while Green Bay has lost seven.
- The Minnesota defense has sacked opposing QBs 41 times this season. Green Bay has recorded just 35 sacks.
- Green Bay, as a team, has produced 4.5 yards per carry over its past three games and 5.3 over its last two.
- Minnesota has averaged 3.7 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.4 over its past two.
- Over its last three contests, Minnesota is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Green Bay’s last game was 40.5. The under cashed in the team’s 21-13 victory over Chicago.
- Over its last three matches, Green Bay is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Minnesota’s last game was 45. The over cashed in the team’s 39-10 win over the Chargers.
- Minnesota has won five of its last six games SU, with a -7-point loss to Seattle on December 2nd accounting for the only defeat over that stretch.
