There’s a big factor at play here
The Minnesota Vikings will finish up their 2025 NFL season in front of the home crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Green Bay Packers, and the early betting lines seem to be an indicator of how the sharps seem to think the visiting team is going to handle their business.
According to the FanDuel Sportsbook, the Vikings have been installed as a 5.5-point favorite over the Packers ahead of their matchup in Week 18, which will kick off at noon Central time on CBS. The over/under for the game currently sits at 36.5 points, which matches the lowest figure for any Week 18 contest in that category.
This seems to indicate that the folks who set the betting lines think the Packers will be taking the opportunity to rest some key players before the NFL playoffs get underway. Green Bay can’t rise any higher than the #7 seed in the NFC playoff field, which means they don’t have anything to play for on Sunday afternoon. Starting quarterback Jordan Love missed the team’s Week 17 loss to Baltimore due to being in the league’s concussion protocol, and his backup, Malik Willis, exited that game with a shoulder injury. With nothing on the line, the Packers might very well take an opportunity to get a little healthier before their trip to either Chicago or Philadelphia on Wild Card Weekend.
The Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention a few weeks ago, but have clawed their way back to the .500 mark, having ripped off four consecutive victories since their disastrous performance in Seattle. The quarterback situation for the Vikings is in question, as Kevin O’Connell indicated that J.J. McCarthy has made some progress with his hand injury and that the team would monitor that through the week in the hopes that he could play in the finale. If he can’t go, the team will likely turn to Max Brosmer once again. This could also be the final game in the incredible career of safety Harrison Smith. Smith put on a vintage performance in Week 17, including a sack, an interception, and several passes defended, leading the Minnesota defense in their 23-10 thrashing of the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day.
The Vikings are favored to end the 2025 season with a fifth consecutive win and a record of above .500, both of which seemed impossible. . .or, at the very least, improbable. . .just a month or so ago. What do you think of that, folks?
Category: General Sports
