5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers – Week 16

Vikings will keep their NFC North title hopes alive

Minnesota enters Monday night’s game as the only team in the NFC with an undefeated record at home. That 6-0 number alone should be enough motivation for the Vikings to win this game, but there’s also the matter of they seem to just be a better team than the Packers at this moment.

Minnesota has had their ups and downs this season, but they seem to be ironing out the wrinkles at the right time and if they have the benefit of resting Dalvin Cook over the final two weeks, it could pave the way to a darkhorse playoff run.

That road gets easier if they can beat Green Bay on Monday night. Although the Vikings will have to rely on the Lions to beat the Packers in Week 17 to claim the division title, they can also spoil Green Bay’s chances of getting a first-round bye in the playoffs, which could set up a rubber match in the wild-card round even if the Packers wind up winning the division.

As has been the case this season, if the Vikings can establish the Mike Boone-led rushing attack and jump out to an early lead, they can pin their ears back and pressure Aaron Rodgers into mistakes and at the very least, punch their ticket to the playoffs.

Prediction: Vikings 24, Packers 17