5 bold Minnesota Vikings predictions for Week 17 vs. the Green Bay Packers
By Chris Schad
Bold Vikings Prediction No. 4
The Vikings will win the turnover battle
The Vikings’ two biggest storylines of the season have been injuries and their inability to hold onto the ball. While head coach Kevin O’Connell is hoping part of that problem has been solved by benching Nick Mullens, other factors could lead to a rare advantage on Sunday night.
The Packers enter Sunday’s game 27th in the NFL with just 16 turnovers forced this season. While that number is low, Green Bay hasn’t even been in position to force takeaways under Joe Barry with a 9.6 percent turnover rate that’s good for 25th in the league entering Week 17.
There’s no guarantee that Jaren Hall will be better at protecting the football, but Minnesota's defense gives them a fighting chance.
Brian Flores’s defense ranks 13th in the NFL with a 12.7 percent turnover rate, and they rank 18th with 21 turnovers forced this season. The Vikings definitely could fluster Jordan Love and the rest of the Packers' offense into giving them the ball on Sunday.
Alas, Minnesota's offense ranks only behind the Cleveland Browns (35) with 30 turnovers on the season, and Green Bay has done a good job at taking care of the ball with only 16 giveaways this year.
Although both teams could make a mistake, it will could be the team that makes the last mistake that could cost them the game.