Minnesota Vikings Vs. Green Bay Packers Week 12 NFL Odds, Picks and Parlays.

Frozen Tundra Fury: A Border Battle for the NFC North

It's the Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers in Week 12 at Lambeau, so we know the hits are going to come hard and the wind's going to be chilly—a true grudge match every time these two clubs get ready to roll. The Packers are looking sharp at 6-3-1 after their Audi Field escape of sorts against the Giants; they jump up a couple of places in the power poll at No. 8. Quarterback Jordy Love has been playing out of this world despite the low-key close game this past week versus the Giants. The rushing game shouldered the burden early on with their game-winning 106 of their 128 yards on the field with the half finished. The Packers know better than anyone how smug their system can come across at times.

Meanwhile, the 4-6 Vikings are absolutely spiraling. They pulled defeat from the jaws of victory against the Bears last week, blowing a lead and giving up a huge kickoff return late—no room for error left for them, not at all. Their offense is a turnover machine, racking up 18 giveaways so far, and they are now going into one of the toughest places to play when you need a win this badly. 

The injury news is definitely worth watching; Green Bay's offensive line took a huge hit with guard Elgton Jenkins landing on IR with a lower leg fracture earlier this month. That is not good against a Vikings pass rush that's been decent. On the Vikings side, they just can't seem to stay healthy, either, but the main story is that offense. J.J. McCarthy is back, but turnovers, man, those are killers. The Packers' defense, even if the secondary has been shaky, features Micah Parsons, who is going to live in McCarthy's face all afternoon.

Laying the Lumber: Packers Big at Home

The Packers are hefty 6 1/2-point favorites at home, which is a lot for a divisional game, especially this one. The total is sitting at a low 40 1/2 points, reflecting the expectation of a defensive struggle or just general offensive malaise from Minnesota. The Vikings have actually been better on the road against the spread, 3-2 this year, but Green Bay's offense should be able to move the ball just enough. 

The Vikings are turnover-prone and the Packers are built to capitalize on mistakes, even if they aren't the best at covering spreads themselves (3-7 ATS). That low total feels like a gift considering how explosive these teams can be. However, history and the current form lean heavy Green Bay. I think the Packers cover this 6.5-point spread, mostly because the Vikings offense is going to shoot itself in the foot multiple times. Give me the Over on that low 40.5 line, and a final score that looks like a comfortable Packers win, maybe 30-17.