Vikings vs. Packers Week 17 Picks: No Trouble for Green Bay At Lambeau

The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers face off in primetime as each team is fighting for different goals. We're breaking down the betting matchup with our Vikings-Packers picks.

The 12-3 Green Bay Packers are not only looking to clinch the overall number one seed in the NFL, but they can also deliver a knockout blow to the Minnesota Vikings' playoff chances with a win. The Packers have been a phenomenal money-maker, covering in 11 of their 15 battles.

Minnesota is teetering at 7-8 after suffering bad losses to the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and the Los Angeles Rams within the last five weeks. Minnesota continues to be average across the board, with just eight covers in their 15 games this season.

Here are my picks and predictions for the NFL Week 17 matchup between the Vikings and Packers (odds via BetMGM; pick confidence based on a one-to-five-star scale).

Vikings vs. Packers Game Info

Date/Time: Sunday, Jan. 2, 8:20 p.m. ETTV: NBCLocation: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WIWeather: 12 degrees, clear

Vikings vs. Packers Odds Analysis

Despite opening at 6.5 points in favor of the Packers and both the public and sharps hammering the home favorite, we're still seeing a 6.5 or 7-point line across books. 60% of the public likes the Packers under one touchdown, and 81% of sharps agree. It's shocking there's not been more movement, and I agree this line is advantageous in favor of the Packers.

The total has moved a bit more but not drastically. Opening at 46, the consensus is the public expects less than either line, cashing in 82% of bets on Under, and the sharps are split almost 50-50. This is a well-set line and I believe the Under is the better play.

Vikings vs. Packers Picks

Packers -6.5 (-125) ?????Under 46.5 (-110) ??

SEE ALSO: NFL Week 17 Betting Odds, Lines, and Picks

Vikings vs. Packers Predictions

Packers -6.5 (-125)

The facts surrounding this game certainly don't support the Vikings being only 6.5-point underdogs. Their pass-rush is a huge question-mark without Danielle Hunter and likely Patrick Jones, and star receiver Adam Thielen is out for the season. The Packers are rolling right now even as they've won the last two games by three points combined, and it's looking like their 34-31 loss to Minnesota in November was more of an aberration.

Since then, the Packers have gotten moderately healthier and won as they've forced nine turnovers in four games. Their opportunistic nature is bad news for the struggling Kirk Cousins. I expect the Packers to be sharper on defense in this rematch, and for Cousins to continue bumbling his way out of Minnesota. The Vikings have given up the fourth-most yards per game this season.

Under 46.5 (-110)

The weather will be awful for big-play potential. We rarely see significant scoring in games under 15 degrees, and the frigid Lambeau Field will be in the single digits by kickoff. This is the ultimate test of toughness and will to inflict pain on your opponent as the temperature dips.

Minnesota has the dominant rushing attack but not the matching defensive ability. The Packers defense is comfortable in lower-scoring games and will hunt turnover opportunities to help the offense. Expect a lack of points in the frozen tundra.

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Vikings-Packers picks made on 12/30/2021 at 12:36 p.m. ET.