NFL Game Picks Week 11: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
By Erik Lambert
Nov 23, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) talk after the game at TCF Bank Stadium. The Green Bay Packers win 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Divisional matchups are never dull to watch, especially between two teams fighting for the lead. That is what is set to take place as the Green Bay Packers duke it out with the Minnesota Vikings for the first time this season. It is a game that could shape the very landscape of the NFC playoff picture. So what do the NFL game picks say about the outcome?
Backdrop:
Two long-time rivals with long-time hatred for each other prepare to battle for supremacy in the NFC North. The Packers come in reeling from a three-game losing streak that culminated in one of the ugliest losses in recent memory, dropping an 18-16 affair to the previously 1-7 Lions. Meanwhile the Vikings are riding their stout defense and Adrian Peterson through their schedule and hold claim to the division lead. They now sit in position to deal Green Bay a crippling blow on their home field.
Matchup To Watch:
CB Casey Heyward vs. WR Stefon Diggs
A big reason the Vikings have stayed one step ahead of opponents on offense is the rise of rookie receiver Stefon Diggs, who is doing a ton of damage with his speed and agility out of the slot. That means the Packers will likely counter with Casey Heyward, their primary slot corner. Though he has been up and down for much of the season he has the skill set to match up with Diggs. Whether he performs well depends on how much heat his teammates can put on Teddy Bridgewater.
The Packers have no sacks in their past three games.
Key Stat:
In one of the more interesting twists of the season, the Vikings and Packers hold identical rankings in one specific category. Minnesota is 16th in the league defending the run while Green Bay is 16th in rushing. It will be interesting if they decide to put the game on the right arm of Aaron Rodgers, as almost everybody would expect or if they try to feed James Starks and Eddie Lacy to attack the Vikings where they are weakest.
Prediction: Packers win 27-23
The thing to remember about the Packers is that they are a team that just seems to find a way out of bad situations. Granted, this is one of the worst they’ve experienced in a long time but they still have Aaron Rodgers and a great coaching staff. Minnesota will be plucky but the defense will surrender one or two big plays that decides it late.