The NFC North rivals conclude the 2025 NFL regular season in a Week 18 matchup with contrasting motivations: the Packers, locked into the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, may rest key players to preserve health for the postseason, while the Vikings aim to finish above .500 and build momentum after a disappointing year marked by injuries and inconsistencies. This border battle at U.S. Bank Stadium could see Minnesota exploit Green Bay’s potential conservative approach, in a series known for intense, competitive games despite the Packers’ historical edge.
Venue Location
U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota. This domed indoor facility, opened in 2016, seats approximately 66,655 fans for NFL games and features a translucent roof and modern amenities, hosting events like Super Bowl LII.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. PT).
Broadcast: The game will be broadcast on CBS: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Aditi Kinkhabwala (field reporter)
Local affiliates WFRV in Green Bay and WCCO in Minneapolis.
Streaming options include Paramount+ and NFL+ for eligible viewers.
Injury Report
Both teams are managing significant injuries in the season finale, with the Packers potentially limiting snaps for starters due to playoff implications, while the Vikings deal with key absences that have plagued their campaign.
Green Bay Packers Injuries:
WR Dontayvion Wicks: DNP (concussion).
G Aaron Banks: Limited (illness/ankle).
LB Edgerrin Cooper: Limited (shoulder).
RB Josh Jacobs: Limited (knee/ankle).
QB Jordan Love: Full (left shoulder/concussion).
LB Nick Niemann: Pectoral (designated to return from IR).
Others: QB Malik Willis (new injury), WR Jayden Reed (illness), EDGE Lukas Van Ness (illness); 12 players total listed.
Minnesota Vikings Injuries:
TE T.J. Hockenson: DNP (shoulder).
RB Aaron Jones: DNP (hip).
WR Myles Price: DNP (ankle).
LB Blake Cashman: Limited (elbow).
RB Jordan Mason: Limited (ankle).
QB J.J. McCarthy: Limited (right hand).
Others: 10 players listed, including several DNPs and limited participants.
Player Matchups
Injuries and potential rest for Packers starters add layers to these battles, with Minnesota’s offense potentially gaining edges against a conservative Green Bay defense.
Packers QB Jordan Love vs. Vikings Secondary: Love, cleared for full practice, faces a Vikings pass defense ranked mid-tier but vulnerable to big plays; Minnesota’s Byron Murphy and safeties could test him if Green Bay airs it out.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy vs. Packers Pass Rush: McCarthy, limited with a hand injury, tests Green Bay’s front; if rested, edges like Lukas Van Ness (ill) may see reduced snaps, opening opportunities.
Packers RB Josh Jacobs vs. Vikings Run Defense: Jacobs (limited) could exploit Minnesota’s 20th-ranked run D if active, but rest risks shift focus to backups.
Vikings RB Aaron Jones/Jordan Mason vs. Packers Front: Jones (DNP) and Mason (limited) face Green Bay’s solid run stoppers; injuries could force a pass-heavy approach.
Recent Team Forms
The Packers have gone 3-2 in their last 5 games, averaging 24.3 PPG (13th in NFL) but allowing 21.5 PPG, securing a playoff spot despite a tie and injuries; they’re 1-8 ATS against sub-.500 teams since 2025.
Expect rest for starters like Love and Jacobs.
The Vikings are 3-2 in their last 5, averaging 20.5 PPG (26th) while allowing similar points; they’ve battled injuries but can end above .500 with a win.
Series History
The Packers lead the all-time series 67-60-3, including a 2-0 edge in playoffs (one win each).
Over the last 10 years, Minnesota holds an 11-8-1 edge.
Green Bay won the 2025 Week 4 matchup 23-6 at Lambeau Field.
The rivalry dates to 1961, with memorable moments like Brett Favre’s tenure in Minnesota adding
Betting Trends
Vikings: 8-8 ATS overall; 3-2 SU and ATS in last 5; strong at home (5-3 ATS).
Packers: 6-10 ATS; 1-8 ATS vs. .500 or worse teams since 2025; 3-2 in last 5 but may rest players.
Head-to-Head: Vikings 3-2 SU in last 5 meetings; unders in 3 of last 5 rivalry games; Green Bay 1-4 ATS lately vs. Minnesota.
PACKERS NOTES:
• PACKERS clinched a playoff berth for the 3rd straight season. • QB JORDAN LOVE has TD pass in 3 of his past 4 games. Ranks 7th with 101.2 rating in 2025. • QB MALIK WILLIS passed for 288 yards & TD for 134.6 rating & had 60 rush yards & 2 rush TDs in Week 17. Has passed for 1,322 yards & 6 TDs & has 4 rush TDs in his career. • RB JOSH JACOBS has 90+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 on road. Has 1,211 scrimmage yards in 2025, his 7th consecutive season with 1,000+ scrimmage yards, tied-most since 2019 (Derrick Henry). Ranks tied-4th with 13 rush TDs this season. Had 69 scrimmage yards & TD in last game vs. Min. (12/29/24). • RB EMANUEL WILSON had 107 rush yards & 2 TDs in Week 12 meeting. • WR CHRISTIAN WATSON led team with 113 rec. yards & TD in Week 17. • WR ROMEO DOUBS had 62 rec. yards in Week 17 & aims for 3rd in row with 60+ rec. yards. Had TD catch in 2 of his past 3 on road. • LB QUAY WALKER had 12 tackles & sack in Week 17. Aims for 5th in row with 9+ tackles. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Min. with sack. Has 8+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 vs. Min. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER had 10 tackles in Week 17. Has 8+ tackles in 2 of his past 3 on road. • LB ISAIAH MCDUFFIE had 6 tackles in Week 17. Had 8 tackles & INT in Week 12 meeting. • CB KEISEAN NIXON had 7 tackles & PD in Week 17. Ranked tied-4th with 17 PD this season. Has 7+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 vs. Min. • S XAVIER MCKINNEY led team with season-high 13 tackles in Week 17. Has PD in 2 of his past 3. • S EVAN WILLIAMS has 8+ tackles in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had INT in Week 12 meeting.
VIKINGS NOTES:
• QB J.J. McCARTHY has TD pass in 2 of his past 3 games & aims for 4th in row at home TD pass. • QB MAX BROSMER has 271 pass yards this season in 2 career starts. • RB AARON JONES had 53 rush yards & rush TD in Week 17. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 8 of his past 9. Ranks 4th with 7,626 rush yards since 2017. Has 75+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. GB. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON ranks 1st with 8,379 rec. yards & 3rd with 571 receptions since 2020, most rec. yards in 1st 6 career seasons all-time. Aims for 6th consecutive 1,000+ yard season (947). Has 85+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. GB. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON ranks 4th among TEs with 4,440 rec. yards & 5th with 433 receptions. Has 65+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. GB. • LB BLAKE CASHMAN led team with 17 tackles & had sack in Week 17, tied6th most tackles in a single game this season. Aims for 5th in row with 10+ tackles. Has 10+ tackles in 9 games this season, tied for most in the NFL. Had 16 tackles in Week 12 meeting & aims for 4th in row vs. GB with 10+ tackles. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3 vs. GB. • LB ERIC WILSON had 3rd FF this season in Week 17. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 at home. • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL had 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks & 2 FR in Week 17. Aims for 4th in row with 0.5+ sack. • LB DALLAS TURNER had half sack & FF in Week 17. Had sack in Week 12 meeting. • DL JALEN REDMOND had TFL, PD & 1st FR this season in Week 17. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. Has 6 tackles & TFL in Week 12 meeting. • CB BYRON MURPHY had INT & FR in Week 17. Aims for 3rd in row with INT & 4th in row with PD. Had PD in Week 12 meeting. • S HARRISON SMITH had sack, 2 TFL, INT & 3 PD in Week 17, the only player in the NFL to do such in a single game this season. Has 2+ PD in 2 of his past 3.
Game Odds
Green Bay Packers 35.5
Minnesota Vikings – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, January 3, 2026
