With Kirk Cousins ruled out due to COVID, the betting line for Sunday night’s Vikings-Packers game saw a massive shift on oddsboards, from Green Bay -7 to -13. The total for this Week 17 clash moved downward from as high as 48.5 to 42.5.
Weather will also be a factor, as bitter cold is in store Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
Vikings (7-8, 8-7 ATS) at Packers (12-3, 11-4 ATS)
Caesars line: Packers -7 even (46.5)
The skinny: Green Bay, which has clinched the NFC North crown, has its focus on retaining its status as the No. 1 seed in the conference, while Minnesota tries to keep its mega-slim playoff hopes alive.
Facts: The weather forecast calls for a temperature of 5 degrees at kickoff and a wind chill of minus-10. The last time an NFL game was played in such conditions was when the Vikings visited Lambeau four years ago, with the temp at kickoff was 10 degree and a wind chill of zero. Minnesota won, 16-0, behind QB Case Keenum. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was hurt and didn’t play.
Minnesota beat visiting Green Bay, 34-31 in Week 11 indoors, despite Rodgers having his best passer rating of the past two years (148.4), with four TD throws. The Packers haven’t lost since, while Minnesota has dropped three of five.
Good news, bad news: Vikings RB Dalvin Cook returns from the COVID list after sitting out last week’s 30-23 loss to the Rams. But in addition to Cousins being out, key receiver Adam Thielen went on IR (ankle).
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Vikings-Packers Betting Analysis and Pick
The Packers aren’t invincible playing in such Arctic weather, with a record of 3-5 in recorded history when the temperature was 6 degrees or colder, but this Vikings team could know by kickoff if it has any realistic hope of making the postseason.
Rodgers will take great pride is excelling in these conditions and adding to his legend. And if Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins fumbled three times last week in a dome, what’s going to happen here?
Starting Green Bay RB Aaron Jones is questionable (knee), but if he can’t go, solid backup AJ Dillon can. All signs point toward a Packers victory. Handily.
Prediction: Packers 24, Vikings 14 (editor’s update: this pick was made when the line was Packers -7 and before Cousins was ruled out)
Last week: 11-5 ATS, 12-4 SU
Season total: 117-120-3 (.494) ATS, 148-91-1 (.619) SU
This story has been updated since its original publication.
Also read: Oddsmaker on Week 17 line moves | Odds to make NFL playoffs | Super Bowl 2022 odds
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