Monday Night Football- Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers Point spread: Green Bay -13.5 Over/Under: 51 |
The Minnesota Vikings head into Lambeau Field this upcoming Monday night for a classic NFC North tilt with the undefeated Green Bay Packers. The kick-off is slated for 8:30 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Minnesota has already lost to the Packers this season in 33-27 loss at home a few weeks back but covered easily as a 10-point home underdog. The total went well ‘over’ the 47-point line, but it is an even 4-4 in its first eight games The Vikings come into this matchup with an overall record of 2-6 straight-up, but are a solid 4-3-1 against the spread. They are coming off a bye after a 24-21 victory over Carolina as three-point road underdogs two weeks ago.
The changeover to rookie quarterback Christian Ponder from veteran signal-caller Donovan McNabb has had mixed results. Minnesota is 1-1 with him at the helm, but he is completing just 51.9 percent of his passes and has been picked-off twice and sacked six times. If the Vikings are going to have any chance at pulling off the upset they will need a huge effort from All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson.
Green Bay has been on cruise control since Week 1 with eight straight victories SU and a 6-2 record ATS. The total has gone ‘over’ in five of its eight games including the game against the Vikings in Week 7 and in last Sunday’s 45-38 victory over San Diego as a 5.5-point road favorite.
Aaron Rodgers would win this season’s MVP award by a landslide if the voting was held today. He has completed an amazing 72.5 percent of his throws for 2,619 yards and 24 touchdowns. He has only been intercepted three times and has an overall passer rating of 129.1. The only real cause for concern with this team is a defense that ranked 30th in the NFL in total yards allowed and 31st against the pass.
The Vikings are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games on the road and 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games against the NFC North. The total has stayed ‘under’ in seven of their last eight road games.
The Packers are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 home games and 7-2 ATS in their last nine games against the NFC. The total has stayed ‘under’ in five of their last six games against the NFC North.
Head-to-head in this series, Minnesota is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 trips to Green Bay and the road team is 13-6 ATS in the last 19 meetings. The total has gone ‘over’ in six of the last seven games between the two. The Vikings are playing for divisional pride and have done well ATS at Lambeau in the past. Take the 13.5 points, but be sure to track the line on this game on BetAnySports.com.
The Pick: Green Bay 34 Minnesota 24
