Halloween weekend and its the Packers vs the Vikings at Lambeau Field. Throw out the records in any NFC North match-up as this is the black and blue division, where anything can happen. Division games are of the upmost importance. Take care of your division and you earn your self a playoff spot. The Vikings are 1-5 but I think they are better than their record shows so I don’t take this game lightly. Let’s take a look at the match-up.

Packers vs Vikings

  • When: Sunday at 1 p.m. ET
  • Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
  • TV: FOX
  • Odds: Packers are favored by 6.5
  • Last meeting: September 13, 2020; week 1 at Minnesota. Packers 43 – Vikings 34

3 Things to Watch

Jefferson vs Alexander

The Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is looking like an upcoming star. He is only a rookie but has caught 28 passes for 537 yards and three scores since the teams last meeting in week 1. Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is the teams lockdown cornerback. With cornerback Kevin King out today, Alexander will handle the duties of covering Jefferson. This will be a fun matchup of two young talents going head to head. In their first matchup, Jefferson had 2 catches for 26 yards. I expect him the Vikings to try and get him involved early.

Home Field Advantage

The Packers return home to 1265 Lombardi Ave this week. This is their first home game since October 5th. The Packers have actually won 8 straight games at home, including the playoffs, and have the best home winning percentage in the NFL over the last two seasons. That is simply incredible. In the teams last meeting in week 1 of the season, the Packers trailed 7-3 in the first quarter but then rattled off 19 unanswered points in the second quarter. The Vikings scored 24 of their 34 points in the fourth quarter, never getting closer than a touchdown. This game should be similar to that at Lambeau.

Injuries

The Packers have had their fair share of injuries this season. The Packers will be without two of their young talents again this week. Both running back Aaron Jones and cornerback Kevin King missed practice on Wednesday and have been ruled out for the game today against the Vikings. In the backfield look for Jamaal Williams and A.J. Dillion to replace Jones for the second week. Expect a heavy dose of both. On the defensive side of the ball, the Packers will look to Josh Jackson to replace King again this weekend. Jones played fairly well against the Texans last week, which should give Pettine and the defense confidence.

Final Analysis

Fair simple, here, protect home field and take care of business in the division that is right in front of you. I think the Vikings have more talent on their roster than their 1-5 record but the Packers are deeper. The Vikings just are not where the Packers are right now. The Packers depth will be challenged with the injuries but this is a game that the Packers should be in control of. I see them pulling away early and then coasting in the second half.

Go Pack Go!!

Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag