Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The Minnesota Vikings welcome the Green Bay Packers this week in an NFC North clash that is bound to end in defeat for the Vikings.

The Packers enter the game undefeated, and will be looking to continue their win streak at the Metrodome.

Minnesota will be ushering in the Christian Ponder era in this one, as he will be making his first career start.

Where: Metrodome

When: Sunday, October 23 at 4:15 p.m. EDT

Watch: Fox, DirecTV 714

Over/Under: Under 46.5

Don't expect this game to hit the over.

The Packers can score in a hurry, we all know that, but the Vikes are going to struggle to put the ball in the end zone.

With Ponder starting his first-ever game, the Pack are going to look to make things difficult with a lot of pressure on the QB.

It will be interesting to see how Ponder responds to so much pressure, but don't expect the Vikings to put up a lot of points in this one.

The Packers have gone under in their past two games, so look for that trend to continue against a poor offensive team.

Betting Line: Green Bay (-10)

Would anyone seriously consider betting on Minnesota in this one?

The Vikings have won just one game this year, and have only covered the spread once. They pushed once as well, but failed to cover the spread in three of their last five games. In their last five home games, they have only covered the spread one time.

The Packers have covered the spread in four straight games.

Have no fear, Green Bay will easily cover the spread in this one.

Minnesota Injury Report:

Jamarca Sanford	S	Concussion	Did Not Participate In Practice	Doubtful
John Sullivan	C	Concussion	Did Not Participate In Practice	Doubtful
Antoine Winfield	CB	Neck	Limited Participation in Practice	Doubtful
Steve Hutchinson	G	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Percy Harvin	WR	Ribs	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
E.J. Henderson	LB	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Phil Loadholt	T	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Kenny Onatolu	LB	Hamstring	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable

Green Bay Injury Report:

Jamari Lattimore	LB	Shoulder	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Chad Clifton	T	Knee	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Mike Neal	DE	Knee	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Frank Zombo	LB	Knee	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Sam Shields	CB	Concussion	Did Not Participate In Practice	Doubtful
Andrew Quarless	TE	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Morgan Burnett	S	Hand	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Clay Matthews	LB	Quadricep	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Josh Sitton	G	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Charles Woodson	CB	Foot	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable

Fantasy Big Plays

Aaron Rodgers (QB, Green Bay Packers)

You simply cannot bench Aaron Rodgers. He is the best fantasy QB in the NFL, and for all the right reasons.

He gains a ton of yards through the air, picks up some additional points with his legs, and is seemingly a lock for at least three touchdowns every week.

The Vikings pass defense is ranked 24th in the NFL against the pass, so Rodgers is poised to have another field day this week.

Percy Harvin (WR, Minnesota Vikings)

Your best bet for a big day out of a Vikings player this week is Harvin. He has been a bit down for most of the season, but with Donovan McNabb finally on the bench, Harvin might be able to turn this thing around.

Ponder is much more accurate, and will likely hit Harvin on a lot of underneath routes this week.

Harvin has the ability to break a game open at any time, and against the 31st ranked pass defense, he is primed for a breakout performance.

Keys to Victory for Green Bay:

The Packers will look to continue their dominating play by bringing a ton of pressure this week. They don't want to allow Ponder to get in any sort of rhythm this week, and will look to disrupt him early and often.

On the offensive side of the ball, they will want to get James Starks and Ryan Grant going so they can open up the play action pass. When Green Bay runs the ball effectively, they are without question the scariest offense in the NFL.

As long as the Pack don't beat themselves, they will leave the Metrodome with a comfortable victory.

Keys to Victory for Minnesota:

The Vikes are going to have to find a way to get Adrian Peterson going in this game. The Packers have the fourth-best run defense in the NFL, and if they can slow down A-Pete this game will be over before it begins.

Opening up the play action pass is going to be essential for Minnesota in this game. With Ponder making his first NFL start, he is going to need Peterson to be in rare form or it's going to be a long day for the Vikings.

Defensively, Jared Allen and the rest of the defensive line are going to have to find a way to get pressure on Rodgers. If Rodgers has time to throw the ball, he will pick apart Minnesota's shaky secondary.

Prediction:

Green Bay 31
Minnesota 13