Packers primed to upset Vikings on Monday Night Football
December 22nd, 2019
This week’s Monday Night Football battle will go a long way toward determining the NFC North champion and playoff positioning. As it stands the Packers are the No. 2 seed and the Vikings are at No. 6. Green Bay has clinched a playoff spot and will win the NFC North with a win at Minnesota. If the Vikings win, they will secure their own playoff spot and move into a tie for the lead in NFC North, which would then come down to the final week of the season. Minnesota has yet to lose at home this year.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Green Bay Packers | +5.5 | +195 | O 47 |
Minnesota Vikings | -5.5 | -245 | U 47 |
Cousins has hit his stride
It’s hard to believe I’m typing this, but the quarterback comparison looks like a wash in this game. Aaron Rodgers is only doing two things better than Kirk Cousins at this time. Rodgers has thrown fewer interceptions (two versus five) and has scrambled for more yards. Cousins has a better completion rate, has more touchdown passes and has taken fewer sacks. I trust Rodgers more in big games, but I do not give Green Bay a QB edge at this time.Seriously, how did Aaron Rodgers make the Pro Bowl over Kirk Cousins? pic.twitter.com/FL4zwHvg7c
— SKOR North (@SKORNorth) December 20, 2019
I also cannot award an advantage at running back. Dalvin Cook has proven to be one of the three or four best backs in the league, but he’s not healthy. And a banged-up Cook, plus Alexander Mattison spelling him, is not significantly better than the duo of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams.
I will take Minnesota’s receiving corps—especially as Adam Thielen rounds into form. Stefon Diggs is pretty good when he’s not being a diva, and the Vikings have some underrated tight ends in Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. On the other side Davante Adams is heating up but Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jimmy Graham continue to disappoint.
I’m taking those points with Rodgers and the team that is undefeated against NFC North opponents. Would you be that shocked if the Packers won outright? Cook is hurting, Thielen might not be 100% right and Cousins often shrinks in bigger moments. I don’t even feel like the Packers are a superior team, but I feel confident on this side of the number.
I will take Minnesota’s receiving corps—especially as Adam Thielen rounds into form. Stefon Diggs is pretty good when he’s not being a diva, and the Vikings have some underrated tight ends in Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. On the other side Davante Adams is heating up but Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jimmy Graham continue to disappoint.
Packers should cover
Are the Packers really this big of an underdog in an important division game? I guess bookmakers really place a lot of importance on the home-field advantage at U.S. Bank Stadium (and perhaps they should).I’m taking those points with Rodgers and the team that is undefeated against NFC North opponents. Would you be that shocked if the Packers won outright? Cook is hurting, Thielen might not be 100% right and Cousins often shrinks in bigger moments. I don’t even feel like the Packers are a superior team, but I feel confident on this side of the number.
NFL free pick: Green Bay +5.5
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