Vikings vs Packers preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info

Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes for a 6 yard touchdown despite the efforts of Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers win 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes for a 6 yard touchdown despite the efforts of Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers win 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers

The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers have been duking it out atop the NFC North for most of the regular season. As the regular season comes to a close in Week 17, the two rivals will settle the score and determine the division winner on Sunday Night Football as they do battle in Lambeau Field.

Aaron Rodgers and company haven’t been their normally dominant selves far too often this season due to injuries and inconsistency. But Rodgers, Randall Cobb, and Eddie Lacy will look to step up when it counts on Sunday. Adrian Peterson has been running wild all year for the Vikings, but he’ll need assistance from the likes of Teddy Bridgewater on the offense and Anthony Barr on the defense if Minnesota is going to win the NFC North.

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Details for Sunday’s game are below:

Date: Sunday, Jan. 3
Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Green Bay, WI
Stadium: Lambeau Field
TV Info: NBC
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Radio: Here
Ticket information: For Green Bay Packers ticket info click here. For Minnesota Vikings ticket info click here.

Keys to Victory

The key for the Vikings in this game is going to be two-fold. First, they must exploit the poor rushing defense of the Packers by giving the ball to Adrian Peterson early and often. Green Bay ranked 21st in the NFL this season in terms of rush yards allowed per game and Minnesota must take advantage of that. In the same light, they must also stay solid in their passing defense. They’ve been in the top-third in that regard for much of the year, but they’ll need to be that good or better to stop Aaron Rodgers in a clutch situation.

For Green Bay, it’s going to be 100 percent necessary to establish some sort of running game. It doesn’t matter if it’s with Eddie Lacy or James Starks, one of the Packers running backs has to produce on Sunday Night Football. The Vikings are far more susceptible to the run than the pass and establishing that type of offensive balance would almost surely be in favor of the Packers down the stretch on a cold night in Lambeau.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Packers -3
Moneyline: Packers -175, Vikings +155
O/U: 45.5

Prediction

This game is going to be an unfriendly, slug it out type of affair considering the history between these two teams and the stakes that are on the line in this Week 17 matchup. That being said, I like the Vikings defense to ultimately help them prevail in this matchup and carry them to the NFC North title.

Final Score: Minnesota Vikings: 23, Green Bay Packers: 21