Packers, Vikings Meet in Season Finale With Playoff Implications

MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will close their regular seasons Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in a game with potential postseason ramifications for the visiting Packers.

Green Bay (9-6-1) can secure a playoff berth with a victory. Minnesota (8-8-1), winners of three straight, was eliminated from contention last week but can finish with a winning record and play spoiler to its NFC North rival.

The game is scheduled for 81 degrees under cloudy skies inside the domed stadium.

The Packers enter having lost two consecutive games, including a 41-24 defeat to Baltimore last Saturday. In that loss, quarterback Malik Willis was a bright spot, completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown while adding 60 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Willis, who also played well in a prior overtime loss to Chicago, will be a focal point for a Green Bay offense seeking consistency.

Minnesota has found a late-season spark behind rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, who has managed games effectively during the winning streak. In a 23-10 victory over Detroit on Christmas, Brosmer completed 9 of 16 passes for 51 yards and rushed for 16 yards. The Vikings’ defense has allowed an average of just 15.3 points during the three-game streak.

The teams split their two meetings this season. The Vikings won a defensive struggle, 6-0, last Saturday in a game that featured primarily reserve players. In the regular matchup on Nov. 23, the Packers dominated at home, winning 23-6.

According to Interstat, the Vikings are projected favorites. The outlet’s game simulator predicts a 29-23 Minnesota victory, and its ELO rating system gives the Vikings a 61.3% probability to win.

Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CST Sunday.