The Green Bay Packers have looked unstoppable since their Week 9 as they took their second-straight win in a 53-20 blowout over NFC East leaders, the Philadelphia Eagles. They next take on the Minnesota Vikings, who are yet to find their first divisional win of the season. Can the Vikings stop the red-hot Packers? Or will Aaron Rodgers put up another show?
For more on high-stakes divisional matchups, check out our preview of Cardinals vs. Seahawks. You can also read our complete picks and predictions for Week 12 of the 2014 NFL season to feed your football frenzy.
[sc:Football ]Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Preview
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minnesota
When: Sunday, November 23, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Green Bay Packers (-10) at Minnesota Vikings (+10); total: 49.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns, Eddie Lacy ran for 69 yards and a score and caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown while moonlighting as a receiver, while wide receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson both had 100-yard games and Green Bay’s offense was once again clicking in their second straight 50-plus point output.
[sc:NFL240banner ]The Packers now face a familiar opponent in the Minnesota Vikings. These two teams last met in Week 5 in a 42-10 Green Bay win. Rodgers threw for three touchdowns, Lacy ran the ball for 105 yards and two scores and the defense racked up six sacks in the first game against Minnesota.
Green Bay’s pass rush, which sacked Christian Ponder six times in their first meeting, may have the same desirable effect as the Vikings have allowed 32 sacks on their quarterback this season (fourth-most in the league). The Packers’ run defense, though, has been much better after the bye week which should limit the Vikings’ running attack this time around. Minnesota rushed for 111 yards in the teams’ first meeting.
The Packers have a more efficient rushing defense, allowing an average of 82 yards per game in the past two weeks. The key for their better defense was moving outside linebacker Clay Matthews inside to aid in stopping the run. Matthews has also been effective in the pass rush, recording a sack in each of his last three games.
Nevertheless, the Vikings have improved defensively since the last meeting and may be able to keep the Packers from scoring with their high-octane offense. The Vikings have allowed 18.8 points per game since their loss to the Packers.
The total has gone over in nine of the Packers’ 10 games this season.
Betting on the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings’ modest streak of back-to-back wins was brought to an end as they lost 21-13 in Chicago on Sunday.
Minnesota didn’t have rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater directing their offense last time they met the Packers, in Week 5. Instead, backup quarterback Christian Ponder was ineffective completing 50 percent of his passes and getting picked off twice. While Bridgewater has experienced his fair share of sacks (he’s been sacked five times in his last three games), he has good movement in the pocket and a dynamic running game to avoid some would be tackles in this game.
Bridgewater threw for over 200 yards with a touchdown in each of the Vikings’ last two wins, but had his lowest output in the past three games as he threw for 158 yards and a touchdown against the Bears. At his best, Bridgewater may be able to exploit Green Bay’s pass defense, which has allowed 238.2 yards per game this season.
Meanwhile, another rookie will be in charge of the Vikings’ backfield. Running back Jerrick McKinnon will be tasked to power Minnesota’s rushing offense against the Packers’ front seven. McKinnon has rushed for 4.8 yards per carry in his last four games and should be a challenge for Green Bay’s improved run defense, which allowed 4.4 yards per rush against the Vikings in Week 5.
On the other side of the ball, the Vikings may be able make some timely takeaways. Free safety Harrison Smith leads the team with four interceptions (third-most in the league), while the Vikings’ secondary have three more players with at least one interception in Captain Munnerlyn, Josh Robinson and Robert Blanton.
The Vikings are 0-3 against NFC North teams this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Packers (-10) take their third-straight blowout. Create a betting account now and get in on all the action this season.
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