Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 17 vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Green Bay Packers (12-3) can get to 13 regular-season wins for the third consecutive season when the Minnesota Vikings (7-8) arrive at Lambeau Field for a frigid Sunday night showdown.

Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 17 showdown with the Vikings will go down:

Zach Kruse (9-6): Packers 27, Vikings 14

I originally picked the Packers to win 27-21 with Kirk Cousins available. He’s out, so let’s knock a touchdown off of Minnesota’s score. This still feels like a conservative guess. Sean Mannion in single-digit temperatures at Lambeau Field? Against MVP favorite Aaron Rodgers? The Packers could win big. The only worry is that the bitter cold is a neutralizer of sorts and the Vikings stand tall in a physical battle at the line of scrimmage. The Packers need to be the mentally strong football team and take care of business at home.

Jack Wepfer (11-4): Packers 34, Vikings 20

If I were to grade the Packers’ play the last few weeks, I’d use the pass-fail designation – and they’ve passed, however uninspiringly. The offense has, at times, struggled to hammer in the final nail to put games out of reach, and the defense has started to look a little too much like its early-season selves. Even so, it’s hard to see the Vikings without their starting quarterback put up much of a fight. Heck, maybe the Packers close this one out early, lock up the No. 1 seed (depending on how the board shakes out), and then Jordan Love gets another start to close out the season. Packers win.

Brandon Carwile (11-4): Packers 28, Vikings 17

Joe Kipp (10-5): Packers 30, Vikings 14

Dalvin Cook will be the focal point of the Vikings offense but won’t be able to carry the load as the Packers defense shifts all their focus on the run game. Sean Mannion commits a few turnovers and the defense gets back on track. In the cold frozen tundra, Green Bay wins by double digits with big nights from AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones.

Brennen Rupp (8-3): Packers 27, Vikings 7

Dalvin Cook is fully capable of taking over games. The former Florida State running back did it last season at Lambeau Field. Cook did it a few weeks ago when he rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns. With the way that Green Bay’s run defense has performed the last three weeks, Sean Mannion under center and the Vikings’ playoff hopes on the line, Cook could get 40 touches. The Packers need a dominant performance from their front-seven and I think they answer the bell. Aaron Rodgers throws for three touchdowns to strengthen his MVP case. Kenny Clark plays like a wrecking ball. Green Bay rolls 27-7.

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