Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings: NFL Sunday Night Football Schedule, Predictions, Stream & Preview
The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will face off in the biggest Sunday Night Football game of the season. The winner of this game will go on to win the NFC North and be the No. 3 seed in the NFC for the postseason.
This is a big one. Let's preview the game and pick a winner.
Green Bay Packers (10-5)
The Packers have won the NFC North the last four consecutive years, and they were the heavy favorites to win it again this year. This season hasn't been as glamorous as one would think despite the 10-5 record, but a win this week, would end the season on a high note. After starting the season 6-0, the Packers quickly lost four of their next five games.
By far the biggest flaw for the Packers has been wide receiver depth. Receivers and tight ends just aren't getting open enough like we are used to seeing and Aaron Rodgers is being asked to do way too much. If it wasn't for Richard Rodgers' Hail Mary grab in Week 13, the Packers would only be 9-6.
The running game has to get going. Eddie Lacy hasn't been himself this year, and when the Packers running game struggles, it makes them one dimensional. Fortunately for the Packers, this may be a very favorable matchup. Back in Week 11, the Packers dominated the Vikings, 30-13. It should also be mentioned that that game was in Minnesota.
If the Packers win this game they will remain at the No. 3 seed. Here's where things get really interesting. That means the Packers will face either the Seattle Seahawks or the Vikings for a third time in the first round of the NFC playoffs. If the Seahawks defeat the Arizona Cardinals, then they jump to the No. 5 seed, meaning the Packers would play the No. 6 seed Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings (10-5)
We haven't seen the Vikings win the NFC North since Brett Favre was their starting quarterback, but they are just one win away from breaking that drought. Their chances may seem bleak because they must travel to Lambeau Field, but let's hold on a second. The Packers have lost at home this year to both the Lions and Chicago Bears, two NFC North squads who both have losing records.
It's been another excellent season for Adrian Peterson. Once again he is hailed as the best running back in the league, and rightfully so. Peterson leads the NFL with 1,418 rushing yards this season, and he's going to have to play great for the Vikings to win this one. The Vikings have a solid offensive line, and they should be able to give Teddy Bridgewater plenty of time to make plays. The bigger is: will he?
The Vikings are coming off back-to-back victories, and their defense ranks No. 6 overall in points allowed. Everson Griffen is getting to the quarterback at a high rate, and the Vikings know if they give Rodgers time, they're done.
If the Vikings win this game that means they will be the No. 3 seed in the NFC behind only the Carolina Panthers and Cardinals. The Vikings would play the No. 6 seed, which would be either the Seahawks or Packers.
Schedule
The Packers and Vikings will play each other on Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The game will be shown on NBC. You can watch a live game stream here.
Prediction
This is a big one. It's a divisional game between two NFC North teams that can't stand each other. The Packers did dominate the Vikings in November, but the Packers have lost two home divisional games. I don't expect this game to be a blowout at all. Hopefully we'll get an exciting close game to the finish. The Vikings are a young squad on the rise, but I think the Packers will ultimately win because of the quarterback advantage.
Packers win 27-24
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1
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