The Vikings are comfortably within the playoffs and taking part in for seeding to shut out their season, a luxurious not afforded to their opponents and division rivals, the Green Bay Packers. As soon as 4-8 with most declaring their season misplaced, the Packers received their final three video games. They need to win out the remainder of the season to offer themselves an opportunity on the postseason.
Their playoff probabilities sit at 29% according to the New York Times simulator. With a win on Sunday (3:25 CT on FOX and the FOX Sports app), they go as much as 51%. With a loss, right down to 2%. So far as the Packers are involved, they’re already taking part in playoff soccer.
The excellent news for Inexperienced Bay is that they need to.
That latest sturdy play has led Vegas to make the 12-3 Vikings 3-point underdogs headed as much as Lambeau Area. However seeding issues for Minnesota. They nonetheless have an off probability on the No. 1 seed, and subsequently a first-round bye, in the event that they win each their final video games and the Philadelphia Eagles lose each their remaining contests. Philly has New Orleans at house this coming weekend, who nonetheless aren’t mathematically eradicated contemplating what a cluster the NFC South is that this season. The Eagles will seemingly be with out quarterback Jalen Hurts once more. Then they get the New York Giants to complete their season, a workforce that may be taking part in to get into the postseason.
The purpose is, Minnesota has issues to play for and profitable out could be of their greatest curiosity. The Vikings sit within the second seed and if that holds, they might presently find yourself with the Washington Commanders as an opponent. In the event that they fall to the third seed, they’d face the No. 6 workforce, which is presently the New York Giants — a workforce they wanted a 61-yard last-second subject objective to get previous simply final weekend.
Information surfaced on Wednesday that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a knee damage throughout Sunday’s win in Miami. When requested if that places his standing for this Sunday’s sport unsure, Rodgers mentioned it could not. He is already performed by way of a damaged thumb and rib damage this season; what’s yet another?
He sat out Wednesday’s follow however referred to as it a ‘veteran relaxation day’ somewhat than damage relaxation. Inexperienced Bay may additionally get left sort out David Bakhtiari again into the lineup after he underwent an emergency appendectomy on December 2. Working again Aaron Jones practiced Wednesday, as did proper sort out Yosh Nijman and guard Elgton Jenkins, albeit in a restricted capability. Extensive receiver Christian Watson did not follow, as anticipated, because the breakout rookie offers with a hip damage that knocked him out of Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Dolphins.
The offensive line is getting more healthy in time to face a Minnesota protection that has three sacks in every of its final two video games. The final time these two groups confronted off, in Week 1, Vikings cross rushers acquired to Rodgers 4 occasions — however that was with a way more rudimentary model of the Packers offensive line.
Herd Hierarchy: Playoff-bound Chargers, Packers leap in Colin’s Prime 10 of Week 17
Colin Cowherd reveals his high 10 groups heading into Week 17, together with the playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers and comeback child Inexperienced Bay Packers touchdown on the checklist.
Minnesota’s offensive line may nonetheless be missing, with heart Garrett Bradbury re-aggravating a again damage in a automotive accident simply as he was trending to return. Cousins has been sacked 11 occasions within the final two video games. That being mentioned, he is nonetheless managed to get the ball out to at least one Justin Jefferson, who’s on an unprecedented tear and leads the league in receiving yards. He is put up triple digits in his final three video games and set a franchise report with 223 receiving yards the final time he performed a division opponent in Week 14 in opposition to Detroit. He’ll be going in opposition to a Inexperienced Bay protection that has produced key takeaways, however struggled in different respects.
Matchup to observe: Justin Jefferson vs. Packers corners
Jaire Alexander has been assigned receivers earlier than, shadowing opponents’ No. 1 receivers as Inexperienced Bay’s No. 1 cornerback. However Jefferson is sort of unstoppable and it has been Rasul Douglas who has provide you with extra interceptions as of late. Douglas got here up with the game-clinching decide on Tua Tagovailoa in Miami final weekend and has provide you with two interceptions in his final two video games, 4 on the season thus far.
Key stat: The Vikings’ +5 level differential is the bottom for an NFL workforce 12-3 or higher for the reason that merger. It is 44 factors decrease than the 2016 Raiders, who began 12-3 with a +49 differential.
Prediction: Inexperienced Bay has solely scored greater than 30 factors as soon as this season averages 20.9 factors per sport, their lowest since 2017. The issue for Minnesota is, the Packers are hitting their stride. They need to have each working backs wholesome and at the least Romeo Doubs, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb as receivers accessible. Plus, Rodgers’ sheer will to get into the postseason is a strong pressure, even when it means throwing 31-yard bombs to 38-year-old Marcedes Lewis. I’ve a sneaking suspicion the Packers find yourself on this 12 months’s dance.
Packers 29, Vikings 27
Prime tales from FOX Sports activities:
Carmen Vitali covers the NFC North for FOX Sports activities. Carmen had earlier stops with The Draft Community and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She spent six seasons with the Bucs, together with 2020, which added the title of Tremendous Bowl Champion (and boat-parade participant) to her résumé. You’ll be able to comply with Carmen on Twitter at @CarmieV.
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
