On Sunday afternoon at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will face a historic duel in the 129th edition of the rivalry.
Never before have both teams shared more wins in a matchup. The Packers are 11-4, the Vikings are 13-2. Both teams secured their playoff spots with two games remaining.
Can the Packers pull off one of the most impressive victories of the 2024 season on Sunday – a road win in overdue December against a 13-win team?
Here are five things to watch and the forecast for week 17:
Perfect preparation for the play-offs
The Packers can’t win the division and will definitely go on the road in the first round of the NFC playoffs. What better way to prepare for a thunderous and raucous postseason atmosphere than to play a high-stakes away game at US Bank Stadium? The Packers won a massive game in Seattle earlier this month. Meet the challenges of Sunday’s indoor game in Minneapolis and the Packers will have a perfect playoff test. Just imagine how confident the Packers will be in their road warrior status if they can beat the Vikings at US Bank Stadium this week.
Band extension
The Packers have scored 30 or more points in five straight games, the longest streak in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Vikings have scored 30 or more points in just two games this season, and they lost both. Will it take 30 to beat the Vikings on Sunday? Maybe, but getting to 30 points will be challenging against the NFL’s third-ranked scoring defense, especially inside US Bank Stadium. Last year, the Packers scored 33 points in a win in Minneapolis, but benefited from two turnovers from their backup quarterback. This will be a perfect test for the growing Packers scoring machine.
Legit or fool’s gold?
The Packers’ defense has been one of the best in the NFL since the bye, but one wonders if the results are a bit of crap considering the level of competition. There’s no doubting the quality of the Vikings’ talented and lively offense, so the Packers’ defense – which currently ranks sixth in points allowed – has a good chance to prove its legitimacy. Jeff Hafley’s group will be without three starters: Jaire Alexander, Quay Walker and Evan Williams. The Vikings have a quarterback who plays well with a great scheme, a lively running back, two legitimate playmakers at the receiver position and an attacking quarterback. The Packers defense will face a earnest test.
Pass the rush point
The Vikings offensive line ranks 26th in pass-blocking efficiency, and Sam Darnold ranks 23rd among quarterbacks in pressure-to-sack ratio. This is a game where the Packers’ pass rush needs to take over in massive moments. Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Lukas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt and Brenton Cox Jr. they have been better in the passing game since the bye, helping the Packers be truly disruptive on offense. Can the pass rush win one-on-one matchups without blitzing and constantly putting pressure on Darnold? The secondary will be missing two starters, so the defensive front will need to be at its best.
Run the play test
In the first game, the Packers gave up a lot of points early and allowed Josh Jacobs only nine rushing attempts. Becoming one-dimensional against the Vikings on the road is a disastrous recipe, so the game script must allow Jacobs to remain a threat on the ground. Even if the Packers keep up the momentum, getting results will be demanding work. The Vikings have allowed just 3.9 yards per rush this season. It may take a special individual effort from Jacobs, who leads the NFL in missed tackles forced since the bye, to get the Packers going. But it has to happen to win on Sunday.
Prediction: Packers 30, Vikings 28 (9-6)
A dream matchup – a divisional showdown between two of the NFL’s top teams with critical playoff berths – and a chance for the Packers to pick up an critical road win just a few weeks into the postseason. Matt LaFleur’s team started December with a chance to go to Detroit and earn a signature victory. Several bad turnovers and missed opportunities cost the Packers the victory. However, the chance for redemption will come to Minneapolis in overdue December, and I think the Packers will take advantage of it quickly. Matt LaFleur’s team needs to prove it can stick to its identity on the road in a hostile environment and defeat a true opponent, and that will be needed many times over if the Packers are to make the postseason tour. Well-balanced on both sides of the ball and confident after back-to-back wins, the Packers have what it takes to win this football game. In the shootout, I think Jordan Love made the only clutch play overdue in the game that helped the Packers escape with a narrow victory.
