The NFC North has already been decided but we still have a rivalry game on NFL Sunday between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. The game is scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on FOX. Currently the odds for the game have the Packers favored by 3.5 points.
Green Bay has wrapped up the NFC North title and could finish perfect in the league for a third straight year with a win today over the rival Vikings. The Packers are no doubt looking to secure a first round bye and they can do so with a win.
Minnesota is still in the playoff picture as well. A win certainly would do them good over the Packers but a Chicago or Dallas loss certainly would be nice as well.
Having Adrian Peterson back at full strength for an entire season was a big plus for this team. He's on pace to be a potential MVP candidate so far this year and if the Vikings were to win today and get to the post season, it would be hard not to give him the award. He's rushed for 150 yards or more in six of his last nine games.
Plus we know he is chasing down Eric Dickerson's NFL record of 2,105 yards. He needs to surpass the 200-yard mark today in order to come close to Dickerson's record. That's possible — he ran for 210 yards against the Packers in a Week 13 loss.
Aaron Rodgers, who has completed 73.1 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns in the Packers winning streak, was last season's MVP. Don't look now, but the Packers have been awfully quiet this season and a win today would put them at 12-4 overall. Remember, this team struggled out early in the season. Now they've won nine of their last 10 games and can lock up the No. 2 spot in the NFC and a first round bye with a win.
Green Bay has dominated Minnesota lately. The Pack have won give straight against the Vikes and 10 of the last 13 games the two teams have played.
Not many people believe in Christian Ponder and there's no doubt that he misses Percy Harvin, who is still the Vikings' leading receiver but hasn't played since Week 9. And to make matters worse, no Vikings receiver has been able to top the 55-yard mark since Week 10. Now, having Peterson running wild is obviously a plus, but Minnesota seems to one-dimensional right now.
Green Bay will obviously play their starters in this game, so don't feel that they will just mail it in and get ready for the playoffs. Mike McCarthy and company want to continue to be perfect in NFC North Divisional game. They want the No. 2 seed. They're favored in this game against a team that's in a must-win situation. All factors into a win on the road for the Packers.
Free Pick: Green Bay 27, Minnesota 21
NFL Free Picks: Green Bay at Minnesota Betting
What pro football bettors need to know about Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings on Sunday (12/30/12) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Bryan Leonard, with host RJ Bell.
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