Packers vs. Vikings Picks, Lineup Tips for Daily Fantasy DraftKings for SNF
While the 2023 NFL regular season won't end for another week, the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are set to play the final game of the 2023 calendar year.
Minnesota and Green Bay will face off in the final scheduled Sunday Night Football contest of the season—next week's regular-season finale will be determined after Week 17. Both enter the weekend mathematically alive for the playoffs and with plenty to prove in a pivotal NFC North showdown.
This should be a fun way for fans looking to incorporate a little football action into their New Year's Eve plans. Fans looking to add even more action to the festivities can always include some daily fantasy sports (DFS) games.
Below, you'll find a few DFS tips and top picks for Sunday night.
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General DFS Tips for SNF
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This game is a tricky one to nail down because of injuries and Minnesota's change at quarterback. Rookie Jaren Hall is back in the starting lineup for the Vikings, which leaves a little uncertainty about the upside of star receiver Justin Jefferson ($8.8K).
Jefferson should still produce, but he's not exactly a slam-dunk play in week-long DFS games.
Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) remained limited in practice this week, which makes Ty Chandler ($5.7K), albeit risky, play. While Chandler had a touchdown in each of his last two games, he only totaled 17 scrimmage yards in Week 16—a week after racking up 157.
Chandler is a classic risk-reward play this week, likely worth starting in SNF games but probably worth dismissing in longer matchups.
Packers receivers Christian Watson (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest/ankle) are both injured, which limits the upside of Jordan Love. Watson is doubtful, while Wicks is listed as questionable.
The Vikings will be without star tight end T.J. Hockenson (torn ACL) which makes Green Bay's Luke Musgrave ($3.9K) and Tucker Kraft ($3.8K) the two TE options worth considering, Musgrave is making his way back from a lacerated kidney, so Kraft should be considered the "safe" option.
Overall, there aren't many options, outside of Jefferson and Packers running back Aaron Jones ($6.3K), who are sensible plays in weekend-long contests.
In SNF-only matchups, it's a veritable toss-up between the Packers ($3.4K) and the Vikings ($2.7K) for defense/special teams. Green Bay's defense has been terrible lately, but if Hall is as mistake-prone as Nick Mullens was over the last two weeks (6 INTS, 2 fumbles), the Packers D/ST could surprise.
Consider Hall as a Sleeper Play
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Love ($6.4K) is the safe quarterback in this matchup. He's been fantastic down the stretch, and he should have a high floor, even against a Vikings defense that has allowed the 15th-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
However, managers might want to consider Hall ($5.4K) as a bargain sleeper play. In his first start this season, the rookie underwhelmed. He threw for just 78 yards with 11 rushing yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. However, it's worth noting that Jefferson was not in the lineup.
And while the Packers defense has allowed an average of just 0.4 fantasy points to quarterbacks than Minnesota, Green Bay's defense has collapsed recently.
In Week 16, for example, the Packers allowed Carolina Panthers rookie Bryce Young to throw for 312 yards and two touchdowns.
Hall is by no means a sure thing. However, managers willing to gamble a bit while loading up on skill players like Jefferson and Jones do have a second QB option in this matchup.
Consider a Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs Stack
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While the Packers may not have Wicks or Watson this week, slot receiver Jayden Reed ($5.4K) returned to practice this week after missing Week 16 with chest and toe injuries.
Reed has become one of Love's go-to targets, and he caught six passes for 52 yards and a touchdown in his last outing. It's worth noting that Minnesota slot corner Byron Murphy Jr. has been ruled out with a knee injury.
This makes Reed a solid play alongside Jefferson at receiver. And with Reed out in Week 16, Romeo Doubs returned to the fantasy stage, finishing with four catches, 79 yards and a score.
Doubs ($5.6K) also figures to be start-worthy this week, especially if Wicks and Watson can't go.
Jefferson is the common-sense play at WR1, and a Reed-Doubs stack makes plenty of sense. Even if Mattison ($5.2K) returns for Minnesota, there isn't enough RB upside in this game to justify a third running back in the flex.
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.
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