Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Green Bay Packers seek to keep their NFL playoff hopes alive with a fifth straight outright victory Saturday as they entertain the slumping Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.

The 8-8 Packers' four-game straight-up win streak has pulled them even with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the hunt for the second NFC wild card. Green Bay has covered in three of its recent wins, including home victories over the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans.

The Vikings have posted SU losses in seven of nine since opening the season with five straight wins. However, Minnesota powered to a 25-16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars as three-point chalk in its most recent road date two weeks ago.

Point spread: The Packers opened as 6.5-point favorites; the total was 43.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via OddsShark computer: 28.9-16.9 Packers (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Vikings can cover the spread

Despite their recent struggles, the Vikings have been solid performers on the road. Minnesota has surrendered just 17.8 points per game over seven road games this season and is 10-4 against the spread in its past 14 away contests.

Containing Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be crucial for the Vikings, whose pass defense ranks third in the NFL after allowing 205.6 yards per game so far this season.

Minnesota has surrendered two total touchdowns over its past two road games and one rushing score over its past four away contests. The Vikings have also given up an average of just eight second-half points per game in their past four outings on the road.

Why the Packers can cover the spread

The Packers pass defense has made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks over its past two outings, racking up nine total interceptions to go along with a pair of fumble recoveries.

Green Bay has tightened up on defense since a midseason four-game slide. The Packers have given up 13 or fewer points in three of their past four games overall and in three of four games at Lambeau.

The Vikings have struggled in recent road dates against teams with winning records, going winless SU and ATS in their past three, including two as betting underdogs.

Smart pick

Minnesota has taken two straight from the Packers, including a 20-13 win as a three-point road underdog in Week 17 last season. But the Packers have enjoyed regular success in home dates against Minnesota, going 7-2-1 SU in their past 10 such outings.

The Vikings are down to an 11.8 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to PredictionMachine.com. Look for the Packers to end Minnesota's slight postseason hopes and narrowly cover the spread in a win this weekend.

Betting trends

The total has gone under in the Vikings' last four games against the Packers.

The Vikings are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games on the road against the Packers.

The total has gone over in six of the Packers' last eight games.

All NFL lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.