Packers rumors: NFL makes decision on flexing Week 17 game vs. Vikings

Green Bay Packers fans can begin to make their New Year's Eve plans.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Week 17 game between the Packers and Minnesota Vikings will remain on Sunday Night Football. The NFL won't flex it out of the primetime slot.

The league could've waited to see what happened in this week's games before making a decision, but it seems they are happy with the NFC North showdown rounding out the Sunday action in Week 17.

The game kicks off at 7:20 pm CT on Sunday, Dec. 31, and could have playoff implications. Both teams are battling for the remaining NFC wild-card spots.

Packers-Vikings could be a huge matchup on Sunday Night Football

Two other games made sense to flex into Sunday Night Football. The Baltimore Ravens take on the Miami Dolphins in a game that could determine the AFC's top seed, while the New Orleans Saints visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a potential NFC South decider.

While those games may end up being more interesting, it could go the other way. By then, Baltimore may have already wrapped up the top seed, and the NFC South showdown might not have much more significance than the Packers-Vikings matchup.

And there's plenty on the line when Green Bay visits U.S. Bank Stadium. Both teams are in contention for a playoff berth. It's a rivalry game. A loss would effectively eliminate the Packers, but a victory could leave them one win away from the postseason (if they beat Carolina first).

Is there a better way to bring in 2024 than by watching Jordan Love lead the Packers to a famous divisional victory over the Vikings? That would be fun.

The NFL has made the smart decision. While those other matchups may prove to be the better pick in the end, there's no way of knowing that now. Sticking with Packers-Vikings makes the most sense.

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