Vikings vs Packers Preview

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Thursday, the Green Bay Packers (6-8 SU & ATS) host the Minnesota Vikings (6-8 SU & ATS) in an NFC North matchup. The Vikings and Packers have been profitable in division play, where Minnesota is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 and Green Bay is 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC.

Brett Favre felt his team had little hope after the way it played on Sunday in a 17-9 home win over Detroit. The Packers had four turnovers, including three interceptions by Favre. Favre was 20-of-37 for 174 yards without a TD on Sunday, but passed Dan Marino for the all-time completions record and finished the game with 4,974. The Packers are 2-5-2 ATS in their last nine games after allowing less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.

The defense held the Lions to 142 total yards and forced four turnovers to secure Green Bay's second victory in a row and keep the Packers alive for what would be their 11th playoff berth in the last 14 seasons. The Packers are 31-14-3 ATS in their last 48 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.

Green Bay had been blown out in its last two home games -- by a combined 73-10 score to New England and the Jets -- before beating Detroit.

Favre has made a quarterback-record 255 consecutive starts, and he's been at his best at home, going 88-29 at Lambeau Field. Green Bay is 40-5 SU under Favre at home when the game-time temperature is below 35 degrees -- temperatures are expected to be in the 30s with a chance for rain and snow when Thursday's game kicks off.

After throwing 20 TD passes and a career-worst 29 interceptions during a 4-12 season in 2005, the worst of Favre's tenure, he's bounced back this season to throw only 15 picks as the Packers have rebounded from a 1-4 start to join the NFC playoff hunt.

While the last few seasons have been difficult for Favre, he's thrown for 413 TD passes in his career, seven behind Marino for first all-time, and ranks second with 56,930 career passing yards. With 270 career INTs, however, he is also just seven behind George Blanda for most all-time.

Favre is 9-4 at home in the regular season against the Vikings, throwing 27 TD passes to only 13 interceptions. While he hasn't had as much success in Minnesota, he had a huge game on Nov. 12, throwing for 347 yards and two TDs to help the Packers beat the Vikings 23-17.

Minnesota will give Tavaris Jackson his first NFL start on Thursday, turning the season over to the untested quarterback from Division I-AA Alabama State, after a series of inconsistent performances from Brad Johnson.

Jackson had remained loyal to Johnson, who served as his mentor, but, after the 38-year-old veteran was booed off the field during Sunday's 26-13 loss to the New York Jets, it appeared Jackson was ready for the challenge of starting.

Minnesota squandered a good opportunity on Sunday; the team took an early 7-0 lead, but gave up 26 unanswered points before Jackson directed a late scoring drive. He finished 14-of-23 for 177 yards with one TD and an interception.

Green Bay and Minnesota can still make the playoffs as a wild card, but both teams need help. They're one game behind the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, who, at 7-7, are tied for the NFC's final Wild Card spot.

Including one playoff matchup, the all-time series between Minnesota and Green Bay is 45-45-1 SU.

Head-to-Head ATS Trends

- Vikings are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 meetings in Green Bay.
- Vikings are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 meetings.
- Road team is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 meetings.
- Over is 9-3-1 in the last 13 meetings.
- Underdog is 17-5 ATS in their last 22 meetings.

Robby Maddux is a freelance columnist and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker room.

Posted on 12/20/2006 3:50:48 PM
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