Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings Prediction 1/4/2026 Today’s NFL Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Packers vs Vikings Prediction for this NFL Week 18 game on Sunday, January 4th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NFL matchup.

Minnesota Vikings Preview

The Minnesota Vikings have aν 8-8 record this season and are sitting third in the NFC North and have been eliminated from playoff contention. They are 8-8 ATS, 8-8 in Over/Under and have a 4-4 home record and a 4-4 away record. The Vikings are coming off a 23-10 home win against the Detroit Lions.

Offensively, the Vikings average 20.5 points per game, ranking 26th in the NFL, while defensively, they allow 20.6 points per game, which is 10th. Minnesota averages 269.5 total yards per game (163.0 passing and 106.5 rushing), while allowing 292.7 total yards per game (123.9 rushing and 168.8 passing).

J.J. McCarthy leads the Vikings with 1450 passing yards with 57.3% completed passes and 11 touchdowns. Jordan Mason leads the team in rushing yards with 664, while Justin Jefferson has a team-high 76 receptions for 947 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Defensively, Blake Cashman has a team-high 137 total tackles (58 of them solo), while Andrew Van Ginkel leads the team in sacks, with 7, while Josh Metellus, Byron Murphy and Harrison Smith each have two interceptions.

Green Bay Packers Preview

The Green Bay Packers have a 9-6-1 record this season and are sitting second in the NFC North and have already been qualified for the playoffs. They are 9-6-1 ATS, 8-7-1 in Over/Under and have a 5-3 home record and a 4-3-1 away record. The Packers are coming off a 24-41 home loss against the Baltimore Ravens.

Offensively, the Packers average 24.3 points per game, ranking 13th in the NFL, while defensively, they allow 21.5 points per game, which is 11th. Green Bay averages 345.8 total yards per game (226.5 passing and 119.3 rushing), while allowing 308.7 total yards per game (116.5 rushing and 192.2 passing).

Jordan Love leads the Packers with 3381 passing yards with 66.9% completed passes and 23 touchdowns. Josh Jacobs leads the team in rushing yards with 1234, while Romeo Doubs has a team-high 55 receptions for 724 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Defensively, Quay Walker has a team-high 125 total tackles (58 of them solo), while Micah Parsons leads the team in sacks, with 12.5, while Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams each have two interceptions.

Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends: Week 18

Why the Minnesota Vikings will win

• The Vikings have won each of their last seven games against NFC North opponents on a losing streak.
• The Packers have lost eight of their last 10 games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Packers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight Sunday road games.
• The Vikings have covered the spread in each of their last four games.
• The Vikings have won the first half in 13 of their last 14 home games against the Packers following a win.
• The Vikings have won the first quarter in three of their last four home games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Vikings have scored the first touchdown in five of their last six home games against the Packers.

Why the Green Bay Packers will win

• The Packers have won eight of their last nine games as underdogs without Jordan Love.
• The Vikings have lost each of their last two games as favorites without T.J. Hockenson.
• The Packers have covered the spread in each of their last nine games as underdogs without Jordan Love.
• The Vikings have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games at U.S. Bank Stadium following a Division game.
• The Vikings have lost the first half in seven of their last eight games in January.
• The Packers have won the first quarter in six of their last seven Sunday games as underdogs.
• The Packers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last five games against NFC North opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of the Vikings’ last eight games have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Seven of the Packers’ last eight games as underdogs following a loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total points line.

Minnesota Vikings Player Prop Facts

• Justin Jefferson has recorded 73+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Vikings’ last eight games as favorites following a win.
• Jordan Mason has scored at least one touchdown in each of his four previous appearances at U.S. Bank Stadium against teams that held a winning record.
• Justin Jefferson has recorded 73+ receiving yards in each of the Vikings’ last eight games as favorites following a win.
• Jordan Mason has recorded 13+ rushing yards in each of his last 13 regular season home appearances.
• Heading into Week 18, Will Reichard ranks T1st in the NFL in 50+ yard field goals made (11) this season.

Green Bay Packers Player Prop Facts

• Josh Jacobs has recorded 51+ rushing yards in 21 of his last 24 appearances against conference opponents.
• Josh Jacobs has recorded 66+ rushing and receiving yards in 11 of his last 12 road appearances against division opponents.
• Josh Jacobs has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Packers’ last eight games against teams on a winning streak.
• Jordan Love has recorded 267+ passing yards in four of his last five Sunday regular season appearances with the Packers as underdogs.
• Romeo Doubs has recorded 25+ receiving yards in each of the Packers’ last eight Sunday regular season road games.
• Jordan Love has recorded 21+ completions in six of his last seven Sunday regular season appearances with the Packers as underdogs.
• Heading into Week 18, Daniel Whelan ranks 1st amongst qualified players for gross average yards per punt (51.3) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Vikings – two different players have recorded 80+ rushing yards in a game this season – equal-most in the NFL, heading into Week 18.
• Vikings – 15 different players have recorded 1.0 sacks or more in a game this season – equal-most in the NFL, heading into Week 18.
• Packers – seven different players have recorded multi-touchdown games this season – most in the NFL, heading into Week 18.
• Packers – two different players have recorded 80+ rushing yards in a game this season – equal-most in the NFL, heading into Week 18.

Packers vs Vikings Prediction

In this Packers vs Vikings Prediction, the Vikings are coming as -6.5-point home favorites. Both teams have similar overall records this season and the Packers have won more road win than the Vikings have at home. But both teams are coming into this matchup in opposite trajectories, as the Vikings have won four straight, while the Packers have three consecutive losses, but have already clinched a wild card spot, so they have no incentive to be competitive in this game. I like the value with the hosts that have been in better form lately, so take the Vikings and lay the -6.5 at home.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Minnesota Vikings -6.5