The Green Bay Packers (11-4) and Minnesota Vikings (13-2) will write the latest chapter in a long-running rivalry at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Packers and Vikings have both clinched a playoff spot in the NFC and will be competing for seeding in what could be one of the most entertaining and important showdowns in the rivalry’s long history.
The Vikings have won eight straight games and still have a chance to get to 15 wins and the NFC North title. This has been one of the NFL’s biggest surprises and most impressive teams in 2024, so the Packers will need to play at the height of their powers to go into U.S. Bank Stadium and beat the Vikings on Sunday.
Here’s a closer look at the Vikings in Week 17:
Last week (Win, 27-24 over Seahawks)
The Vikings got a 5-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Jordan Addison to take a 7-0 lead early and took a 17-7 lead into halftime, but the Seahawks quickly tied the game at 17 in the third quarter and eventually took a 24-20 lead on a touchdown pass from Geno Smith with under five minutes to go in the fourth quarter. But the Vikings had an immediate response, and Justin Jefferson’s 39-yard score roughly a minute later re-took the lead for good. The Vikings intercepted Smith late to seal the deal. Darnold threw three touchdown passes without an interception, Jefferson caught 10 passes and the Vikings defense picked off two passes. Minnesota had only 298 total yards and finished 3-for-12 on third down, but Kevin O’Connell’s team keeps finding big plays in big moments.
Quarterback play
Sam Darnold has been a revelation in Year 1 in Minnesota. The former third overall pick has thrown 32 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions with a passer rating 105.4 — making him one of only five quarterbacks with at least 30 touchdown passes and a passer rating over 100.0 this season. Darnold has led the Vikings on five game-winning drives in 2024. Thriving in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, Darnold has made good decisions and consistently distributed the football to a talented group of playmakers. He’s also taken 45 sacks. Darnold ranks 14th in success rate, 13th in QBR, 12th in EPA/play, 23rd in turnover worthy play percentage and 23rd in pressure to sack ratio, so it’s possible his box score numbers overrate his actual efficiency. But he’s been excellent in a well-run and talented offense operated by one of the NFL’s best playcallers.
Line of scrimmage
The Vikings are averaging only 4.0 yards per rushing attempt and have allowed 46 sacks. By PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency, the Vikings rank 26th. By PFF’s run-blocking grade, the Vikings rank 15th. Minnesota lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a season-ending injury and replaced him with former Jaguar Cam Robinson — a fairly substantial downgrade. Right tackle Brian O’Neil has been excellent. The other four starters are question marks. On defense, the Vikings have dominated against the run, giving up only 3.9 yards per attempt (second best) and only seven rushing touchdowns (first). Minnesota ranks second in run defense grade at PFF. The pass rush is powered by two versatile edge rushers (Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel) and Brian Flores’ wild blitz package. The Vikings have five players with 20 or more pressures and an incredible 10 players with 10 or more. They are going to come in waves. At a loud U.S. Bank Stadium, the Packers offensive line will face one of the toughest tests of the season.
Turnovers
The Vikings are +10 in turnover differential and lead the NFL with 30 takeaways. While the Vikings have six games with multiple giveaways and rank middle of the pack in terms of giveaways (20), the defense — which has an NFL-high 22 interceptions — has picked up the slack. Ten different players have an interception for Minnesota; seven have multiple picks. Cornerback Byron Murphy has six interceptions. Edge rusher Jonathan Greenard has four forced fumbles. Andrew Van Ginkel has two interception returns for touchdowns. On offense, Sam Darnold has thrown 11 interceptions and fumbled eight times, while running back Aaron Jones has five fumbles. Darnold has 21 turnover worthy plays, which ranks as the third most among quarterbacks.
Injury situation
Safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Fabian Moreau missed last week’s win in Seattle with injuries. Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. is coming off injured reserve and should play Sunday. The Vikings are otherwise healthy. The team does have left tackle Christian Darrisaw, cornerback Mekhi Blackmon and quarterback JJ McCarthy on injured reserve.
Players to know
RB Aaron Jones: The former Packer has 1,046 rushing yards, 1,394 total yards and seven total scores for the Vikings. He’s averaging 4.5 yards per carry and still looks electric as a runner.
Edge rusher Jonathan Greenard: The former Texan leads the Vikings in pressures (69) and defensive stops (38). He’s a game-wrecker.
TE T.J. Hockenson: The Packers didn’t face him in the first meeting. He’s since returned from last season’s knee injury and is once again a focal point in the passing game. Hockenson is averaging almost five catches and 50 yards per game.
WR Jordan Addison: The 2023 first-rounder has eight touchdown catches while averaging 9.5 yards per target. Justin Jefferson is going to command attention, but Addison is also a dangerous weapon.
S Josh Mettelus: He’s an elite run defender and tackler who plays all over the defensive formation for Brian Flores. Expect to see him blitz, play in the box and cover running backs and tight ends.