6 reasons why the Vikings will beat the Packers in Week 16

Minnesota’s home defense is elite

While the Vikings’ defense has taken a few steps back this season, the unit is an entirely different monster when they play inside their home stadium.

Compared to the 21.8 points Minnesota has allowed on the road this year, their opponents have only averaged 14.2 points in the six games inside U.S. Bank Stadium. In two of their last three home games, the Vikings have even been able to hold the opposing team under 10 points.

Minnesota’s defense has been solid against the run in just about any venue this season, but their home stadium has really had an impact on how they defend the pass. Inside U.S. Bank Stadium this year, opposing quarterbacks only have a rating of 81.2 and the Vikings have allowed just eight touchdowns through the air.

This shouldn’t really come as a giant surprise though, Minnesota’s home-field advantage is one of the best in the entire NFL. Vikings fans make incredibly hard for opposing offenses to hear anything and Minnesota’s defense typically finds a way to use this in their favor.

The crowd noise should play a factor, once again, on Monday night against a Packers team that has allowed their quarterback to be sacked eight times in their last three road games.