The Green Bay Packers got back on track last Sunday with a huge win over the Houston Texans, while the Minnesota Vikings are looking to make a return in the win column. In this divisional matchup, which team will end up with the W after Sunday’s meeting?
Minnesota is hoping that a one week rest during a Week 7 bye could help cure what ills the team. The Vikings entered their bye on the heels of a 40-23 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at home in Week 6, thus becoming the first — and still only — team to be victimized by Matt Ryan and company. Kirk Cousins struggled — again — in that game, as he went 24-for-26 for 343 yards and three touchdowns against three interceptions. However, rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson managed to shine, as he recorded 166 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions. He’s become a serious downfield weapon for the Vikings, who just need Cousins to be more consistent and accurate in the pocket to fully capitalize on the tandem of Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Cousins can see a lesser defensive focus on him in Week 8 against the Packers, as bell-cow running back Dalvin Cook is expected to return after a one-game absence due to a groin injury. Cook has been lights out for the Vikings’ rushing attack that is currently sixth in the NFL with 139.2 rushing yards per game. On the season, Cook is fifth in the NFL with 489 rushing yards and first with seven rushing scores.
The Vikings are 2-0 against the spread in their last two road games.
After suffering their first loss of the season in a 38-10 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers vented their frustration on the Houston Texans. Rodgers sliced and diced the Texans’ porous defense for 283 passing yards and four touchdowns without an interception on 23-of-34 completions. Davante Adams went wild in torching the Texans’ secondary defenders, as he ended up with 196 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 13 catches. Rodgers and Adams could expect another big night in the Packers’ passing game in Week 8, as the Vikings are also bad in containing the pass. In fact, Minnesota is fourth-worst in the league in pass defense, with 286.7 passing yards allowed per game. Also, the Packers will likely have running back Aaron Jones back after he missed the Texans game with a calf issue. Jones traveled with the Packers to Houston, which was a good sign for his availability for this home game against the Vikings, whom he carved up for 270 rushing yards and three touchdowns in two meetings last season.
The Packers are 4-0 against the spread in their last four home games.
