Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers Prediction & Betting Tips - NFL

Prediction published on 29/12/2023, 20:20  by Matthew Newman | Modified on 30/12/2023 at 16:14 in NFL Predictions

An NFC North showdown in the early hours of Monday morning as the 7-8 Green Bay Packers head to Minnesota to take on the 7-8 Vikings. Because of the way things have gone in the NFC this season, both teams are still in with a chance of a playoff spot if they win this game so there is plenty on the line. A playoff spot looked to be the Vikings for the taking at 6-4 but performances have slipped since, losing four of their last five. They have turned the ball over 13 times in those five games which is a rate that is hard to survive and win games so it is to their credit that three of those losses have been by one, two and three points. They just seem to have a mental block when it comes to closing out games. They lost a 17-9 lead in Denver entering the final quarter, losing 20-21, were beaten in overtime against the Cincinnati Bengals after leading 17-3 and 24-17, and also lost to a field goal with just 10 seconds left against the Bears. They have the 10th stingiest defence in the league which has helped keep them in games but the offence needs to keep hold of the ball. 

The Packers have blown hot and cold this season. Some solid wins against the likes of the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving and then the Kansas City Chiefs the week after. They have been unable to kick on from that, losing on the road at the New York Giants and then at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While they got back in the win column last week at the Carolina Panthers, they blew a 30-16 lead in the fourth quarter before kicking a winning field goal to make it 33-30 with just 19 seconds on the clock. The Panthers are just 2-13 and 30 is the most points they have scored all season so although the Packers won, it was far from a performance to shout about.