Packers Underdogs Against Wounded Vikings on Sunday Night
GREEN BAY, Wis. – While both teams are 7-8, the NFL elected not to flex Packers-Vikings out of the Sunday night slot. While neither team would qualify for the playoffs if the season were to end today, their primetime matchup will be dripping with playoff implications.
The winner will have a chance to earn a playoff spot in Week 18 while the loser can start booking Airbnb rentals and tee times.
The Packers are 1.5- to 2.5-point underdogs at sportsbooks for their New Year’s Eve matchup.
The Packers, who have battled injuries throughout the season, will be facing a banged-up Vikings team, which lost four starters during Sunday’s loss to the Lions: tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), receiver Jordan Addison (ankle), linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder).
Given the calendar, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell thought all four injuries were significant.
The injury to Hockenson, a torn ACL and MCL, is the most significant and a major loss for the Vikings.
Hockenson is tied for 10th in the league overall and ranks No. 1 among tight ends with 95 receptions. He caught six passes for 88 yards and one touchdown when Minnesota won 24-10 earlier this season.
O'Connell called Addison day-today. Among rookie receivers, Addision is tied for fourth with 63 receptions, is second with 826 yards and is first with nine touchdowns. He caught seven passes for 82 yards and one touchdown in the first matchup.
Wonnum, who suffered a torn quad and, like Hockenson, will miss the rest of the season, is second on the team with eight sacks and 15 tackles for losses. He had two sacks and four quarterback hits in Round 1.
Blackmon, a third-round rookie, broke up three passes in the first game against Green Bay and allowed zero catches out of four targets, according to Pro Football Focus. There is at least a decent chance he will be ready for Sunday night.
The Packers have their own injury issues. They held off the Panthers 33-30 on Sunday despite being without two of their top receivers, Christian Watson (hamstring) and Jayden Reed (toe), and losing promising rookie Dontayvion Wicks (chest) for the second half.
“Everything’s good,” Wicks said when asked if he had suffered injured lungs.
NFC Playoff Race
In the fight for the last two wild-cards spots, here are the latest NFC playoff standings and closing schedules, including the Week 17 lines from SI Sportsbook. (Week 18 lines will be released by sportsbooks later this week.)
6. Los Angeles Rams: 8-7.
Week 17: 6.5-point favorites at Giants (5-10)
Week 18: at 49ers (11-4)
7. Seattle Seahawks: 8-7:
Week 17: 3.5-point favorites vs. Steelers (8-7)
Week 18: at Cardinals (3-12)
- -- -
8. Minnesota Vikings: 7-8.
Week 17: 2.5-point favorites vs. Packers (7-8)
Week 18: at Lions (11-4)
9. Atlanta Falcons: 7-8.
Week 17: 2.5-point underdogs at Bears (6-9)
Week 18: at Saints (7-8)
10. Green Bay Packers: 7-8.
Week 17: 2.5-point underdogs at Vikings (7-8)
Week 18: vs. Bears (6-9)
11. New Orleans Saints: 7-8.
Week 17: 2.5-point underdogs at Buccaneers (8-7)
Week 18: vs. Falcons (7-8)
