Vikings-Packers preview: Playoff implications for both NFC North rivals

The Vikings comfortably made it to the playoffs and are playing for seeding to close out the season. This is a luxury not afforded to opponents and division rivals Green Bay his Packers. Going 4-8 with most declaring the season lost, the Packers won their final three games. They have to win the rest of the season to have a chance at the postseason.

The New York Times Simulator has a 29% chance of a playoff. Sunday’s win (3:25 CT on FOX and FOX Sports app) goes up to 51%. With losses, it drops to 2%. As far as the Packers go, they’re already playing his football in the playoffs.

The good news for Green Bay is that it should.

That recent strong play has prompted Vegas to create a 12-3 Vikings 3-point underdog heading to Lambeau Field. But seeds are important to Minnesota. If the Philadelphia Eagles lose his two remaining games, he still has a chance of winning the No. 1 seed. Philadelphia will home to New Orleans this weekend, but they’re still not mathematically eliminated given what kind of cluster the NFC South has been in this season. The Eagles likely won’t have quarterback Jaylen Hurts again. This team can also play to enter the postseason.

The bottom line is that Minnesota has something to stake on and winning is in their best interest. The Vikings sit in his second seed and, if it holds up, now face the Washington Commanders. If they drop to the No. 3 seed, they will face the No. 6 team, now the New York Giants. He needed his second field goal of 61 yards last for this team to get through last weekend.

News surfaced Wednesday that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a knee injury during Sunday’s win in Miami. When asked, Rodgers replied no. He’s already played through a broken thumb and rib injury this season. what is the other?

He didn’t attend Wednesday’s practice, but called it a “veteran’s rest day” rather than injury rest. A return to the lineup is possible. Running back Aaron Jones practiced on Wednesday, as did right tackle Yosh Nyman and guard Elgton Jenkins, to a limited extent. Wide receiver Christian Watson, as expected, did not attend practice.

The offensive line is getting healthier in time to face the Minnesota defense, which has three sacks each in its last two games. This was the last time the two teams faced off in Week 1, when a Vikings pass rusher reached Rodgers in his fourth inning.

Minnesota’s offensive line may still be short, and center Garrett Bradbury exacerbated a back injury in a car accident just as he was about to return. It has been sucked twice. That being said, he was still able to deliver the ball to Justin Jefferson, who leads the league with an unprecedented tear. He’s had his triple figures in his last three games, and when he last faced a division opponent in Week 14 against Detroit, he set a franchise record for his yards received with 223. did. He will oppose Green Bay’s defense, which has produced key points but has struggled in other respects.

Featured Matches: Justin Jefferson vs Packers corner

Jaile Alexander has been previously assigned a receiver and shadows the opponent’s number 1 receiver as Green Bay’s number 1 cornerback. But Jefferson is nearly unstoppable, and it’s Rasoul Douglas who recently added more interceptions. Douglas was the decisive pick for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami last weekend and has two interceptions in his last two games, and has four this season.

Key stats: The Vikings’ +5 point gap is the lowest of any NFL team with a 12-3 or better record since the merger. That’s 44 points lower than the Raiders in 2016, which started 12-3 with a +49 lead.

Projection: Green Bay’s over 30 points average is 20.9 points per game this season, the lowest since 2017. Minnesota’s problem is the Packers are gaining momentum. Both running backs should be healthy with at least Romeo Dubs, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb available as receivers. What’s more, Rodgers’ postseason determination is a powerful force, even if he throws a 31-yard bomb at 38-year-old Marcedes Ruiz. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Packers will end up dancing this year.

Packers 29, Vikings 27

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Carmen Vitali covers NFC North for FOX Sports. Carmen previously played for Draft Network and Tampa Bay He was with the Buccaneers. She spent her six her seasons with the Bucks, and in 2020 the title of Super Bowl her champion (and boat her parade participant) was added to her resume. You can follow Carmen on her Twitter. @CarmieV.

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