The Green Bay Packers take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football to close out 2023. The last time these division opponents matched up against one another was back in late October, where the Vikings were able to close out the Packers in Lambeau Field with a score of 24-10. Both teams are 7-8 heading into tonight’s game and winner will take 2nd place in the NFC North standings.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Spread Set at 1.0, Over/Under 42.5 Total Points
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Even though Minnesota defeated Green Bay on the road by two scores, the line is only set at a one-point difference. In the last matchup, Kirk Cousins was under center taking snaps until the fourth quarter, where he was taken out of the game with a lower leg injury. An MRI later showed that Cousins tore his Achilles and the Vikings have been rotating quarterbacks ever since. Tight end TJ Hockenson has also been ruled out for the season after tearing his ACL and MCL last week.
Quarterback Jaren Hall has been reported to start under center for tonight’s matchup, which has shifted the line on Green Bay’s favor. Hall started the following game after Cousins was ruled out for the season, completing 5 of 6 passes for 78 yards before being taken out of the game with an injury of his own.
Jaire Alexander gets suspended by the #Packers for assigning himself as a pregame “captain”.
Is this suspension worthy?
pic.twitter.com/OzmWSVEqNY— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) December 27, 2023
Minnesota isn’t the only team missing key players for tonight’s game. Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who returned to action in last week’s game versus the Carolina Panthers was suspended by the Packers front office for walking out for the coin toss when he wasn’t listed as a captain by the team.
Eric Stokes has been ruled out as well for tonight’s contest with a hamstring injury, leaving the cornerback snaps to two rookies in Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon. Former All-Pro Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell is also listed as doubtful with a neck injury.
With all the injuries on the defensive side for Green Bay and Jordan Love leading the Packers offense to 11th amongst the league in total points, over 42.5 points holds value in tonight’s matchup.
Justin Jefferson Over 83.5 Receiving Yards (-110 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
While Justin Jefferson hasn’t had an 1800-yard season like last year due to injury, he is still one of the best young wide receivers in the NFL and is coming off a 141-yard performance versus the Detroit Lions. With the injuries in Green Bay’s secondary and Hockenson being ruled out for the season, Jefferson to go over 83.5 receiving yards is my best bet of the contest.
Aaron Jones Over 72.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (-120 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
Aaron Jones, who has dealt with multiple injuries throughout the season finally hit his stride last week versus Carolina. Rushing for 127 yards on 21 carries while adding one catch for an additional 8 yards from scrimmage.
In a must win game for Green Bay, Jones will need to be utilized both on the ground and through the air. Minnesota just let Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs run for 100 yards from scrimmage last week on 19 touches. So, Jones to go over 72.5 scrimmage yards holds value in tonight’s matchup.
Coverage for Sunday Night Football will begin at 8:20 PM Eastern time on NBC.
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