Black and Blue rivals meet with a lot on the line when the Vikings host the Packers for this week's edition of NFL Sunday night betting action.

Both teams are 7-8 and on the outer edge of the NFC wild-card picture. Sunday night's game will probably mean elimination for the loser.

Minnesota's going with a rookie quarterback but Green Bay's defense couldn't contain a rookie QB last week.

Who do we like for our free NFL betting pick?

Get a free $60 worth of professional sports picks.
Start Winning Today!

NFL Betting Odds

The Week 17 NFL betting market opened Minnesota at -2.5 for Sunday night, with an over/under of right around 45. Early betting action dipped that spread to 1.5 and dropped that total to 43.5.

Packers Betting Preview

Green Bay just snapped a two-game losing skid with a 33-30 victory at Carolina last Sunday. But it wasn't easy. The Packers led 23-10 at the half, pushed their advantage to 30-16 in the fourth quarter, then let the Panthers, one of the worst offenses in the League, drive 60 and 70 yards to touchdowns and a tie game. Green Bay then avoided total embarrassment by driving 61 yards itself to a game-winning field goal in the final seconds.

The Packers got out-gained by Carolina 394-369 but with RB Jones back in action out-rushed the Panthers 162-96.

Last week was the first time Green Bay out-rushed an opponent in seven games.

Jones, who's missed a lot of action this season, ran for 127 yards last Sunday. But he's right back on the injury list for this week. In fact, as of Friday, the Packers list four starters on offense and five on defense as questionable for Sunday, and they suspended one of their better defensive backs for being an idiot.

Not too long ago, Green Bay won three games in a row. But then they made some guy named DeVito look great and lost to the Giants 24-22, then made Baker Mayfield look fantastic and lost to Tampa Bay 34-20.

That Green Bay defense is giving up a lot of yardage lately.

Vikings Betting Preview

Meanwhile, Minnesota is 1-4 over its last five games after losing at home to Detroit last Sunday 30-24. The Vikings, with journeyman Nick Mullens at QB, trailed 17-7 in the second quarter, then rallied to lead 21-17 in the third. But Minnesota gave up the next 13 points of the game, then had a last-gasp drive end with an interception inside the Lions' red zone.

The Vikes got out-rushed by Detroit 143-17 and lost the turnover battle 4-1.

Minnesota's actually out-gained five of its last six opponents and out-rushed five of its last seven foes. But they've lost some close games, mainly thanks to turnovers.

Two weeks ago, the Vikings blew a two-touchdown, fourth-quarter lead and lost at Cincinnati 27-24 in overtime.

At 7-8 overall, both these teams sit one game behind 8-7 Seattle in the battle for the third NFC wild-card spot.

Minnesota is giving rookie QB Jaren Hall his second career start Sunday night. In his first, back in November at Atlanta, Hall directed the Vikings to one good early drive, then got knocked out of the game with a concussion.

Packers-Vikings Recent History

Minnesota owns the edge in this rivalry recently, winning four of the last six meetings SU, going 4-2 ATS. Back in October at Lambeau Field, the Vikings thoroughly out-played Green Bay and won 24-10.

Kirk Cousins quarterbacked Minnesota that day, until he popped an Achilles in the fourth quarter. The Vikings are 3-4 SU and 3-2-2 ATS since that day.

Also, that game played under a total of 41.

Common Opponents

These two teams have played ten common opponents this season: members of the NFC North and South and the AFC West. Green Bay played those foes to 6-5 both SU and ATS, Minnesota to 5-6 SU, 5-5-1 ATS.

NFL Betting Trends

Rookie quarterbacks are 25-38 SU and 29-30 ATS in the NFL this season.

Totals Report

The Overs are 9-6 in Packers games this season, which are averaging 44 total points.

The Unders are 10-5 in Vikings games, which are averaging 41 points.

The Unders are 131-110 in the NFL this season.