3 vital matchups the Vikings need to win in Week 17 vs. the Packers

With so much on the line, which key matchups do the Minnesota Vikings need to win to secure a victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night?

The Minnesota Vikings are now on the outside of the playoffs, currently sitting as the No. 8 seed in a playoff format in which the top seven teams in each conference qualify. If the Vikings hope to make the postseason, then winning their matchup on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers is a must-win game for them.

Minnesota has already beaten Green Bay this season, though it was a much different Vikings team that went into Lambeau Field and defeated the Packers.

Minnesota is hanging on by a thread when it comes to this year's playoff race, and they will almost certainly need to win out if they want to play any postseason football.

Beating Green Bay this weekend is the first step to getting back in the postseason for the Vikings, so what are some key in-game matchups Minnesota needs to win in order to secure a victory?

Vital Matchup for the Vikings No. 1

Jaren Hall vs. The Bright Lights

Vikings rookie quarterback Jaren Hall is being thrown into the fire with the season on the line this weekend. Add this to the fact that Minnesota's game is against the division rival Packers and that the contest is being broadcast on primetime national TV on New Year's Eve.

Hall will definitely have plenty of pressure on his shoulders.

Minnesota's rookie quarterback is only making the second start of his young NFL career on Sunday, with his first start being cut extremely short due to suffering a concussion early in the Vikings' Week 9 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Hall was out for a few games with the injury and has since been waiting his time to get back out there and prove himself, with this Week 17 matchup being his opportunity to shine.

The rookie hasn't given fans any real indication of whether he has what it takes to be a starting quarterback in this league, as he's been limited in his first year.

Hall will have a lot on his shoulders this weekend as Minnesota is looking to keep their playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately, he is going to be without one of the most reliable tight ends in the NFL this week as T.J. Hockenson suffered a brutal season-ending injury last Sunday, so the young quarterback will need to rely heavily on All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson to help him out.

Stud Vikings rookie receiver Jordan Addison is questionable this weekend with an ankle injury, and even though he's reportedly expected to suit up against the Packers, he is likely to be hobbled and not at 100 percent.

Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell is going to really need to call a game plan that can help Hall get into a rhythm.

It is yet to be seen if the rookie is up for the challenge, but for the Vikings' playoff hopes, they need him to step up on Sunday night against Green Bay.