Green Bay Packers (7-8) vs. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings 12/31/23 – Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will meet in an important NFL Week 17 game at U.S. Bank Stadium this Sunday for a clash that not only represents pride for both sides but also has crucial playoff implications. Both squads boast identical records and will try their hardest to outwit one another in this high-stakes contest; fans looking for free football tips should closely observe this contest which offers numerous intriguing angles and outcomes.
This season, the Packers’ offensive strategy has included both passing and rushing plays. Quarterback Jordan Love has led this strategy by throwing for 3587 yards and 27 touchdowns while Romeo Doubs has emerged as an essential receiving asset with 646 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. AJ Dillon’s running game, while less prolific but still effective, has totaled 586 yards rushing though an average 3.4 yard per carry indicates some difficulties breaking through defenses.
On the other side, the Vikings have displayed a balanced offensive approach. Kirk Cousins has been remarkable, completing 69.5% of his passes for 2331 yards and 18 touchdowns at an effective 103.8 passer rating. Alexander Mattison led their rushing efforts with 659 rushing yards while Jordan Addison has become an essential piece in their passing game by collecting 826 receiving yards with 9 touchdowns on 9 receptions – creating an exceptional receiving corps that makes up one half of their offense.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings 12/31/23 Game Info
| When: | Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 8:20 PM ET |
| Where: | U.S. Bank Stadium |
| TV: | NBC |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Jordan Love QB vs. Kirk Cousins QB
As Jordan Love assumed the starting job midseason, his confidence has steadily grown in his role. While still making rookie mistakes occasionally, his confidence and poise in the pocket has significantly increased. Love possesses both arm strength and athleticism to attack downfield with his legs; yet sometimes overly relies on playmakers rather than going through progressions to develop his game further. Regardless, Love’s recent uptick in production shows encouraging signs of growth.
Veteran Kirk Cousins remains an effective game manager for Minnesota. He excels at play action passing and getting the ball out quickly to his playmakers. Cousins also protects the football well, with one of the lowest interception rates in the league. However, he rarely pushes the ball downfield, preferring instead to utilize checkdowns. This conservative approach limits explosive plays. Cousins can also be inaccurate under pressure. While he avoids sacks and negative plays, he fails to create when the pocket collapses. His limitations put more pressure on the Vikings defense and running game.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota Vikings -133, Total Odds: 45.5
The betting odds slightly favor the Minnesota Vikings, with a -2.5 spread and a moneyline of -133. The total set at 45.5 points indicates expectations of a moderately high-scoring game, reflecting both teams’ offensive capabilities.
Green Bay Packers Betting Trends
The Packers are 1-5 against the spread (ATS) on the road this season and have failed to cover in 9 of their last 13 overall. However, the offense has performed better lately, going over the total in 5 of their last 5. With this game meaning so much, the spread and total could see sharp action.
Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends
Home field has meant little for Minnesota lately, with a 2-8 ATS record at U.S. Bank Stadium this season. Division games have brought out their best though, covering 6 of their last 8 against the NFC. Defensively, the under has hit in 7 of their last 9 home matchups with Green Bay. Expect a close, grind-it-out type affair.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings 12/31/23 Betting Picks
This matchup is finely poised, with both teams having strengths and weaknesses that could influence the outcome. The Vikings, with their home-field advantage and slightly more consistent quarterback play, might have a slight edge.
For top multi-handicapper prediction, considering the Packers to cover the spread could be a wise choice, given their potential for a strong offensive showing. Prop bets on quarterbacks and lead receivers could offer value, given their importance in both teams’ offenses. The over/under is challenging, but the potential for both offenses to click makes the over an intriguing option.
Free Pick and Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 27, Green Bay Packers 24