The Week 17 NFL slate will conclude on “Sunday Night Football” when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Green Bay Packers in an NFC North clash. Let’s break down the crucial matchup and find some winning bets along the way.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers betting odds, preview
Spread: Vikings -1, Over/under: 43.5, Moneyline: Vikings -115 | Packers -105
The Detroit Lions have already locked up the NFC North title, but the Vikings and Packers are still alive in the NFC wild-card race. The winner on “Sunday Night Football” will have close to a 50 percent chance to make the playoffs, but the loser will essentially be knocked out of contention. This is a true loser-leaves-town matchup, and the oddsmakers see it as a toss-up.
The biggest story heading into “SNF” is Minnesota’s quarterback carousel continuing to turn. Rookie Jaren Hall will take over for Nick Mullens and make his second start of the season. Hall started against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 but didn’t make it through the first half after suffering a head injury. Sunday night will be Hall’s first chance to prove he deserves to be a part of the team moving forward.
As for the Packers, they’ll likely be short-handed with WR Christian Watson, OT Luke Tenuta, TE Luke Musgrave and LB D’Vondre Campbell all listed as doubtful. CB Jaire Alexander will not play due to a team-issued suspension.
‘Sunday Night Football’ betting picks
Packers +1 (-110 DraftKings)
In a pick-the-winner game, we’re rolling with the more stable team in Green Bay. It’s impossible to predict how well Hall will play with a playoff spot on the line, but we’re expecting him to struggle in a high-pressure situation. The way to beat the Packers is to attack their 30th-ranked rushing defense, but the Vikings haven’t been able to run the ball effectively all season.
Jordan Love is quickly turning into the franchise quarterback he was drafted to be, and as long as he can handle the blitz, he should be able to lead the Packers to a much-needed road win.
Over 43.5 (-110 BetMGM)
This bet is a fade of both defenses. The Packers have given up 30 points to the inept Carolina Panthers, 34 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 24 points to the Tommy DeVito-led New York Giants over the last three weeks, and now they have to face Justin Jefferson without Alexander on the field to mark him. Hall only needs to be mediocre to have success against this defense.
On the other side, Love can torch this Vikings defense through the air, and Aaron Jones is coming off by far his best rushing performance of the season. Jones is the healthiest he’s been since Week 1, and he unlocks this Packers offense unlike any other skill player on the roster.