NFL Week 11 Betting – Vikes Look to Pillage Pack, NFC North

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (pk, 45 o/u)

The Green Bay Packers (6-3, 2-2 Away) have dominated the NFC North division for the last four seasons, but they may finally have a challenger to their throne. They’ll need to steal a win on the road when they visit the Minnesota Vikings (7-2, 4-0 Home) at the TCF Bank Stadium (4:25 PM Eastern), or risk falling two games out of the division lead.

The Packers have lost three games in a row – looking awful while doing it – and their NFC North domination is now in jeopardy. Their losses against the Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, and Detroit Lions have opened the discussion on whether this team truly built to fight for a Super Bowl title.

The last time Green Bay lost four games in a row was back in 2008, the first season QB Aaron Rodgers took over from Brett Favre under center.

“I think you always have sequences of games in seasons that you can look back on where one phase isn’t playing as well as the other,” coach Mike McCarthy told the Associated Press. “I think we’re in that right now. We just need to keep working and fight our way out of it.”

The Packers have averaged 18.3 points per game the last three weeks, while allowing opposing offenses to score 28. Their running game is a big issue as neither of the two tailbacks has been consistent enough to be considered a threat. Throw in receivers that don’t get any separation and you have a recipe for making two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers look human.

The Minnesota Vikings, on the contrary, have been flying somewhat under the radar. Despite sitting in a tie for second in the NFC, their record won’t be taken seriously until they can knockout the Packers. The Vikes have won seven of their last eight games and enter this meeting with five wins in a row, including a 30-14 victory over the Raiders last week.

“I’m sure you’re all aware, all right, that we’re in first place,” coach Mike Zimmer told his players following Sunday’s 30-14 win at Oakland. “You know what that means? It means nothing. It’s not where we are. It’s where we finish at the end of the year.”

Adrian Peterson leads the league with 961 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He has had over 100 yards in his last three games, including a 203-yard-performance against the Raiders last week. Peterson was limited in practice this week because of a hamstring injury, but he should be ready to go on Sunday.

The Vikings have the second best scoring defense in the NFL, allowing just 17.1 points per game. Their idea of winning is controlling Rodgers and establishing the run early and often. The Packers, of course, could have a long day trying to stop Peterson as they allow 116.2 rushing yards per game this season.

The Packers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games vs. a team with a winning home record and 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall. The Vikings are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 home games and 8-0 ATS in their last eight games following a SU win.

Pick: Vikings (pick ’em).

(Photo Credit: Joe Bielawa (Originally uploaded to Flickr)[https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/])