Predicting Packers’ final three games of regular season 2021

Week 17: Minnesota Vikings

How about some revenge in primetime? The Packers have lost their past two games against the Minnesota Vikings, one home and one away, the only two divisional defeats in the Matt LaFleur era.

The Packers are already playoff-bound — the NFC North title is theirs. But they could accomplish two things with a win here. The first would be helping their push for home-field advantage in the playoffs. The other would be to put a dent in the Vikings’ playoff hopes. The wild-card race is wide open, so handing Mike Zimmer’s team a loss would be fun.

It will be a challenge.

The Packers’ plan was to stop the run when the two teams met earlier in the season. That plan went OK, but the trouble was they couldn’t stop wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who caught eight passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Hopefully Jaire Alexander will return in time for this game.

Divisional games are always tough, especially against the Vikings. And there could be a lot on the line in this one for both teams, even with the NFC North standings already set.

This will be Green Bay’s final home game of the year. After beating Cleveland the week before, it completes a perfect 8-0 run at Lambeau Field with a big win here.

Prediction: Green Bay 27, Minnesota 24 (13-3)