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While the Packers’ playoff hopes were pretty much dashed with a loss last week in Carolina, they will still be a tough for for the Vikings in this one. Minnesota is looking like one of the best teams in the NFL but it’s never easy beating the Packers at Lambeau.
The spread is unknown yet because of one very important factor: the presence of Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Watch this regular season Week 16 matchup live on Saturday, December 23, 2017, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field.
Odds Analysis
If Green Bay is eliminated from playoff contention with a Falcons win on “Monday Night Football,” there is a chance Rodgers is shut down to avoid further injury. That decision will play a huge role in the spread.
If Rodgers plays, Green Bay could be favored. If he doesn’t, it will likely be the Vikings who are the team to beat. It will also have a large effect on the scoring total.
Injury Report
Blake Bell —The Vikings’ tight end was placed on injured reserve over the weekend after suffering a shoulder injury in the game against Carolina on December 10th. In the wake of Bell’s season-ending injury and with fellow tight end Kyle Rudolph also missing time for injury lately, the Vikings promoted Kyle Carter from the practice squad.
Davante Adams — The Packers’ leading receiver left Sunday’s game against the Panthers with a concussion and did not return. The injury occured in the third quarter after an illegal blindside hit on Adams by Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis. Adams left the field on his on accord and will now enter the league-mandated concussion protocol before being cleared to return to the field.
Nick Perry — Green Bay’s veteran linebacker left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. Perry was already banged up heading into the Week 15 matchup against the Panthers and missed the Packers’ game against Cleveland on December 10th. He now has another injury to contend with as well and is currently listed as questionable.
Player to Watch
Rodgers — The Packers finally got Rodgers back from injury Sunday, but it wasn’t quite the performance the team had hoped for. Now, with a playoff appearance even more of a long shot, it’s unclear if Rodgers will start in the final two games of the season.
Rodgers threw three interceptions in Green Bay’s 31-24 loss to Carolina Sunday. It was his first game back since breaking his collarbone in mid October.
If the team decides to shut Rodgers down for the remainder of the season, Brett Hundley would resume the starting quarterback position. The team is 3-4 this season with Hundley as its starter, and he’s thrown for 1,534 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions this season.
Free ATS Pick
The Vikings have the superior record and have put together an impressive season. However, the Packers are really hard to beat at home, especially with Rodgers at the helm. The belief is that he will play in this one, and that past accomplishments will trump this year’s showing when these two teams face off.
Take Green Bay to take care of business in a matchup which could be a back and forth affair. Even though Case Keenum has played the best football of his career, the Packers nonetheless have a big-time advantage at quarterback if Rodgers suits up.
That is the X-Factor, so watch that decision closely. As long as Rodgers plays, roll with Green Bay to both win this game and cover the spread. The “over” is the right call as there will be plenty of points put up by Rodgers and the Packers offense.
NFL Odds: Packers 27, Vikings 20
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