The NFL playoff schedule is out for this week, and today, I’m set to make my NFL playoffs pointspread picks for the ‘total’ in this crucial clash. The Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers are going to do battle at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Join me for my Wild Card playoffs tips for this 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff that can be seen on NBC.
There is going to be a whole heck of a lot of overreaction to the fact that there were 71 points scored just last week at the Metrodome when these two teams met up, and I’m absolutely going to pounce while the getting is good on a number that is inflated. These two teams do both have some great offensive characteristics, but I know that they both have some massive flaws as well. What I noticed on Sunday was that the Packers are almost better served offensively playing from behind than they are from ahead, as that is when they really put up their big time numbers in the frantic passing game. Perhaps they would be better served running the hurry up spread offense for the full 60 minutes to see what would happen.
Wild Card Playoff Picks
Minnesota Vikings (10-6, 8-7-1 ATS) +8
Green Bay Packers (11-5, 9-7 ATS) -8
Over/Under 46
For starters, this game is being played outside on the grass of the Frozen Tundra, not inside in the cushy 72 degree dome with turf. It’s a little far out to be looking at the weather forecast, but temperatures probably will start below 20 degrees in this game, and when push comes to shove, it’s only going to get colder as the night wears on. This is going to make the passing game a heck of a lot more difficult to execute, especially if for QB Christian Ponder, who played his college ball at Florida State and has no idea what playing in Green Bay in January can be like.
There also just has to be a point that these two teams figure each other out. Rodgers isn’t going to throw for 325 yards like he has averaged thus far in this series this year, and RB Adrian Peterson probably isn’t going to rush for 205 yards like he has averaged against the Pack. If those two items turn out to be true, it is going to be awfully, awfully difficult to see this one getting past the number when push comes to shove. Expect a game in the 30s, not in the 40s.
Minnesota vs. Green Bay Picks & Tips: Under 46
