Minnesota Vikings VS Green Bay Packers Match Prediction

This storied rivalry has seen 117 games played to date.  So far, the Packers have 60 wins, 54 losses, and three ties with the Vikings.

Here's a look at the last five results:

11/25/18: Packers 17-24 Vikings
9/16/18: Vikings 29-29 Packers
12/23/17: Vikings 16-0 Packers
10/15/17: Packers 10-23 Vikings
12/24/16: Vikings 25-38 Packers

Vikings vs Packers Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

The Vikings are at +3 underdogs in Green Bay on the spread.

The over/under is set at 44 points.

The money line is set at 7/5 for the Vikings and 5/8 for the Packers.

Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers Prediction

The Packers are not expected to run away with this one, and they won’t do so, just as they did last week.  But they will have the firepower to get over the hump and move to 2-0 to follow up the win in Chicago.  

Correct Score Prediction: Vikings 17-21 Packers

Progress Report

The Vikings will come into this game 1-0 on the season after a great, emphatic win over the Falcons in week one.  All systems were a go in their opener, with both sides of the ball playing well to shut down a good Falcons team with threats all around.  Kirk Cousins continues to fly under the radar, and that is the sort of motivation this team will look to use as they move forward and try to win the North as an outsider of sorts.  

Last Five Games

9/8/19: 12-28 W vs Falcons
12/30/19: 24-10 L vs Bears
12/23/19: 27-9 W @ Lions
12/16/19: 17-41 W vs Dolphins
12/10/19: 7-21 L @ Seahawks

Key Offensive Players

The Vikings got the job done at home last weekend thanks in large part to a great rushing effort.  Dalvin Cook was brilliant on the ground, bulldozing his way to 111 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns.  Kirk Cousins also ran for a touchdown in the victory, adding to the one he threw through the air.  The quarterback was just 8-10 for 98 yards, but it was plenty enough for them to get the job done, showing just how great they did on defense in the win.

Expected Offensive Starting Line up

QB    Cousins
RB    Cook
WR    Thielen
WR    Diggs
WR    Beebe
TE    Rudolph
LT    Reiff
LG    Elflein
C    Bradbury
RG    Kline
RT    O’Neill

Key Defensive Player

On defense, one of the menaces on the day was linebacker Anthony Barr.  He recorded six tackles in the game, including a sack of Matt Ryan that helped them pull away and hide in the end.  Free safety Anthony Harris also was instrumental in the win.  Not only did he show well in coverage, but he came up with five tackles to thwart and Falcons’ comeback.

Expected Defensive Starting Line up

LDE    Hunter
LDT    Joseph
RDT    Stephen
RDE    Griffen
WLB    Gedeon
MLB    Kendricks
SLB    Barr
LCB    Waynes
SS    Smith
FS    Harris
RCB    Rhodes

Progress Report

The Packers didn’t win their opener last Thursday in the prettiest of ways, but that will not matter the least bit for them.  Chicago threw the football over 50 times and all the Packers gave up was three measly points.  They did not play their greatest on offense, with the system still being fresh after changing coaches, but that is only going to improve.  You’ll see leaps and bounds every week, and they will be a big time Super Bowl contender if their defense can keep this up.  

Last Five Games

9/5/19: 10-3 W @ Bears
12/30/19: 31-0 L vs Vikings
12/23/19: 44-38 OT W @ Jets
12/16/19: 17-24 L @ Bears
12/9/19: 20-34 W vs Falcons

Key Offensive Players

Aaron Rodgers had one of the most subdued games of his life last Thursday and even called it a disappointment, despite the win they ultimately recorded.  That speaks volumes.  He had just over 200 yards in the air on 18-130.  He was also sacked five times, which is a worry, though it was against the Bears’ vaunted defense, so it’s not the worst stat ever.  One man he did find fairly often in that win was Marquez Valdes-Scantling.  He had four catches for 52 yards, easily their most prolific in a stifled performance.  

Expected Offensive Starting Line up

QB    Rodgers
RB    Jones
WR    Adams
WR    Valdes-Scantling
WR    Allison
TE    Graham
LT    Bakhtiari
LG    Taylor
C    Linsley
RG    Turner
RT    Bulaga

Key Defensive Player

More than just a couple of men stood out on defense last week, but one of them that deserves praise has to be linebacker Preston Smith.  Smith ended the game with five tackles and 1.5 sacks, showing a willingness to rush the QB and not give him an iota to get the ball down field.  Fellow linebacker Blake Martinez led the team in total tackles in the game, racking up seven of them and a sack as they got their win, so he’ll be one to watch here.  

Expected Defensive Starting Line up

LDE    Lowry
NT    Clark    
RDE    Adams
WLB    Preston Smith
LILB    Goodson    
RILB    Martinez
SLB    Za’Darius Smith
LCB    Alexander
SS    Amos
FS    Savage
RCB    King

Despite the stat above, it truly looks like the page has turned a little bit. Though the Vikings looked good in victory over the Falcons last week and the Packers didn't look the best on offense, their defensive showing will have delighted them. Aaron Rodgers is going to get going at some point, and if his defense is able to play like that, they will be a tough beat in the NFC North

The Vikings haven't lost any of the last four games against the Packers (three wins and a tie) and they have only lost one of the last seven against them.