NFL Predictions: Vikings vs. Packers Preview

Written by Jake Thompson
Monday, 14 November 2011 16:21

It’s time for Monday Night Football predictions in the NFL game between the Vikings and the Packers.

The Minnesota Vikings (2-6) and the Green Bay Packers (8-0) will meet up in the featured Monday Night Football game this week, and our NFL predictions and score preview will hopefully have everyone on the winning side of the action.  Start time of the Vikings vs. Packers game is set for 8:30 PM ET, and the game will be shown live on the ESPN channel.  5Dimes Sportsbooks has the Monday Night Football odds favoring the home-team Packers at -13 with a total of 50.

This will be the second game of the season between these two NFC North rivals, after Green Bay went into Minnesota and escaped with a 33-27 win as 10-point favorites.  The Vikings ran for 218 yards in that loss and you can bet they’ll have a similar strategy in this Monday Night Football game.  Green Bay has won 3 straight against the Vikings, while the over has been a winner in 5 of the last 6 head-to-head meetings.

Green Bay has racked up victories over the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, St. Louis Rams, and San Diego Chargers in addition to the Vikings.  The Packers score 34.4 points per game thanks to quarterback Aaron Rodgers (2619 yards, 72.5%, 24 TD, 3 INT) and a passing attack that averages over 300 yards each time out.  The running game adds in 4.0 yards per carry, but Green Bay makes their money with the pass.  Minnesota has been out-passed by 90 or more yards 3 times this season and has given up at least 24 points in every game in which it has happened.

The Vikings picked up their first win since elevating rookie quarter Christian Ponder (554 yards, 51.2%, 3 TD, 2 INT) to starter over Donovan McNabb (1026 yards, 60.3%, 4 TD, 2 INT) last week, besting the Carolina Panthers.  It was the first road win of the season for Minnesota, and they’ll need to keep the score close if they want to compete with the Packers.  If Green Bay gets an early lead and can force the Vikings to abandon the run, this game could get ugly in a hurry.  The Packers give up 4.6 yards per carry but they’ve been able to get early leads that prevent their opposition from exploiting that weakness.

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Predictions in the Vikings vs. Packers game call for Green Bay to feel comfortable at Lambeau Field as they get the early lead.  I’d give Minnesota a chance of getting the upset if McNabb and his veteran presence were back there, but Ponder is too inexperienced to keep up with the high-scoring Packers.  Look for Green Bay to have a double digit lead before halftime, and for Minnesota to stall when attempting to come back with a passing attack.

Vikings vs. Packers Score Predictions:

Vikings 13

Packers 34