What a wild rivalry week this has been. One Green Bay Packers podcaster Peter Butkowski made Twitter a warzone when he spent the entire week egging on Minnesota Vikings fans by calling the team fraudulent.
The game itself is a big one, as both teams are fighting for playoff position. Last season saw it be the same thing but in reverse with the Packers having already clinched the division.
The Vikings have a chip on their shoulder with the label of fraudulent being tossed at them left and right.
Our staff predicted the game and for the first time, were split on the outcome.
Tyler Forness-Vikings Wire Managing Editor
Record: 12-3
This rivalry game has some juice added to it and it’s the exact opposite of what we saw last year. The Vikings have a chance to take the Packers out of playoff contention like the Packers did with their 37-10 win last January. After a lot of discussion about the Vikings being fraudulent this week from Packers media, they prove that they aren’t with a double-digit win to bury their playoff hopes.
Prediction: Vikings 31, Packers 20
Judd Zulgad-Vikings Wire Columnist
Record: 11-3
The Vikings have the NFC North locked up, but there are plenty of reasons why this game remains important.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Packers 21
Matt Anderson-Vikings Wire Contributor
Record: 1-0
The Vikings head to Lambeau Field in a matchup where they can end the Packers’ season with a win. The stakes are high for both teams as the Packers are fighting for a playoff spot and the Vikings are still competing for the top seed in the NFC.
There has been some trash talk this week from Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander, which is only adding fuel to the fire. Unfortunately, I think the Packers will back it up in what I anticipate to be a shootout with minimal defense. Green Bay is hot, and they’re desperately trying to sneak into the postseason.
Prediction: Packers 34, Vikings 31
Zach Kruse-Packers Wire Managing Editor
This is a tough game to predict. The Packers are playing much better down the stretch, and the Vikings are probably fortunate (not a bad thing!) to have 12 wins, making this a more even 7-8 vs. 12-3 fight than you’d otherwise expect. It truly feels like a toss-up. Jefferson’s prolific playmaking ability and the Vikings’ situational dominance provide good reason for picking for the visitors, but I think the Packers have figured out a winning formula in all three phases, are better suited to playing outdoors and will have urgency on their side in a must-win game. It won’t shock me for a second if the Vikings go into Lambeau Field and win, but I’m taking the Packers to steal the lucky horseshoe away for one week and win a one-score game.
Prediction: Packers 27, Vikings 24
