Vikings-Packers Predictions, Picks: Who Wins Rivalry Game on SNF?

This should be fun. The 127th edition of the Vikings-Packers rivalry is a Sunday Night Football showdown on New Year's Eve in front of what promises to be a raucous U.S. Bank Stadium crowd. On the field, the only guarantee is drama. Rookie Jaren Hall is set to make his first home start in what essentially amounts to an elimination game between a pair of desperate 7-8 teams whose wild card hopes are in serious danger.

If you're expecting anything other than the Vikings' 15th one-score game of the season — which would set an NFL record — I'm not sure what to tell you.

Minnesota is a one-point favorite in this game. Which team is going to get the job done and stay alive? Let's start with my prediction and then take a look at some picks from other analysts.

Will's pick: Vikings 26, Packers 24

2023 picks record: 10-5

I have very little idea what to expect from Hall in what will (hopefully) be the first full regular season game of his NFL career. He showed some positive signs in limited action against the Packers and Falcons, but then sat and waited behind Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens even after he had recovered from his concussion. Now he gets his shot. It's a good spot for it; the Packers' awful defense is missing top cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes. All Hall has to do is take care of the football, operate the offense, and throw to Justin Jefferson a bunch. I think he'll do just enough for the Vikings to win on a last-second field goal.

Other predictions

Ben Goessling, Star Tribune: Vikings 27, Packers 23

The Vikings once again will have to calibrate their offense for a different quarterback, with Hall taking over for Mullens. They have struggled to adapt their scheme for passers other than Cousins, and the rookie could have to withstand some hits from a Packers defense that has posted the NFL's sixth-highest pressure percentage this season. But after Green Bay allowed Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield to post a perfect passer rating and let Carolina rookie Bryce Young have his best day of the season, this could be a friendlier matchup for Hall, especially with Alexander out and Jefferson looking to feast against the Packers secondary. The Vikings will avoid their sixth home loss of the year and stay alive in the playoff race for another week.

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Packers 28, Vikings 25

Both NFC North teams are clinging on to their playoff hopes. Jordan Love has 13 TDs and one interception in the Packers’ last six games, but a much-maligned defense has allowed 401.3 yards per game in the same stretch. Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens has thrown six interceptions the last two weeks. That is the difference here, too.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Packers 24, Vikings 20

Jordan Love has had the expected ups and downs of his first full-time starting season. But the Packers do have a keeper at QB, given he's worked through a lot of injuries and reshuffling personnel around him at key positions. He is feeling better with a variety of young weapons with each week and now has help from his running backs. The Vikings' passing game has become aggressive with new fill-in starter Nick Mullens but will be missing key target T.J. Hockenson. Green Bay keeps its slim wild-card playoff hopes alive by dashing that of its rival in Minnesota.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Packers 30, Vikings 25

Both teams need this to stay alive in the playoff race. The Packers are playing consecutive road games, which is a challenge. But I think Jordan Love and the Packers passing game can have success here against a Minnesota defense that has struggled lately. And Nick Mullens is shaky at best.

NFL.com: 3 of 5 pickers take the Vikings

The Vikings are without T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison's status is in doubt at publishing. That doesn't bode well for whichever unpredictable quarterback is on the field for Minnesota. The fact that Green Bay will be without Jaire Alexander — who's serving a one-game suspension — certainly helps. So does playing at U.S. Bank Stadium. A lot falls on Brian Flores' defense, which also just lost pass rusher D.J. Wonnum to injury, to stall Jordan Love, who's thrown at least two TDs and zero picks in five of his last six games. Honestly, these divisional matchups are always a fight to the end, and I could see it going either way. But I'll forecast a Greg Joseph field goal as time expires. — Brooke Cersosimo

Bleacher Report Staff: Packers 24, Vikings 21

Mike Florio, PFT: Vikings 28, Packers 24

Chris Simms, PFT: Vikings 28, Packers 24

Seth Walder, ESPN: Vikings 23, Packers 20

Eric Moody, ESPN: Packers 21, Vikings 20

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all season long.

Subscribe to the Inside the Vikings newsletter

Follow Will Ragatz on Twitter