Vikings (12-3) at Packers (7-8)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis. TV: CBS
Tipico Sportsbook line: Packers by 3 ⁄2
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Vikings’ keys to victory: Spread the ball around to playmakers, stop the run and win the turnover battle. Can QB Kirk Cousins make sure WR Justin Jefferson, RB Dalvin Cook and TE T.J. Hockenson get enough touches? This talented offense leads the way, and the Vikings are 10-0 when scoring 24 or more points. The Packers rely on playing balanced on offense, so stopping the run and making Green Bay one-dimensional will be important. In Week 1, the Vikings won the turnover battle 2-0. This season Minnesota is 7-0 when getting at least two takeaways.
Packers’ keys to victory: Create explosive plays, disrupt the QB and make the Vikings work for points. RBs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon and WR Christian Watson provide the big-play ability for the Packers offense, and Matt LaFleur’s team will likely need a few to keep up with Minnesota. On defense, the battle must be won at the line of scrimmage, particularly on the inside with DL Kenny Clark. Consistent pressure on Cousins will be crucial. The defense must avoid giving up chunk plays and force the Vikings to go on long drives to score points.
Matchup to watch: Vikings’ Jefferson vs. Packers CB Jaire Alexander. Will Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry give Alexander, a 2022 Pro Bowler, a chance to follow Jefferson, who torched his defense in Week 1?
Who wins? Do the Vikings have another close win in them? The guess here is no, and the Packers find a way to keep their increasingly hopeful playoff dream alive with a dramatic win at Lambeau Field.
Packers, 27-24