Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings Prediction, 1/4/2026 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 18

Game: Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings

Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Location: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN

TV: CBS

Odds-Point Spread: Vikings (-7.5)

Total-Over-Under: 35.5

U.S. Bank Stadium is the site where the Minnesota Vikings (8-8) will try to defeat the Green Bay Packers (9-6) on Sunday. Minnesota opens as 7.5-point favorites from oddsmakers. The over-under is set at 35.5.

The Green Bay Packers step on the gridiron 9-6 over the course of the season. In their last contest, the Packers went up against the Baltimore Ravens and ended up losing by a score of 41-24. Malik Willis went 18-21 with 288 yds passing and 1 touchdown. He had a quarterback rating of 134.6 and finished the game without throwing an interception. Malik Willis was the rushing leader for the Packers with 9 attempts for 60 yards (6.7 yds per attempt). Christian Watson averaged 22.6 yds per catch by earning 113 yds on 5 receptions. The Green Bay Packers ran the rock 17 different times and amassed 79 yds, earning them an average of 4.6 yds per carry. In all, they had 42 plays which gave them 363 yds. Green Bay allowed 16 pass completions on 20 tries for 107 yards, and a completion rate of 80.0%. When it came to stopping the run, the Packers gave up 307 yards on 53 attempts, which calculates to 5.8 yds per rush surrendered.

When examining scoring touchdowns, the NFC representatives have an average of 24.3 PPG. Offensively, they're holding an average of 119.3 rushing yards which ranks 17th in the league. The Packers have attained 5,533 total yards over the course of this season. Green Bay currently has 179 first downs offensively, and they have been called for 101 penalties for 771 yards. They have turned the ball over 13 times (7 interceptions and 6 fumbles). When examining scoring, Green Bay has earned 26 passing touchdowns and 18 TD's on the ground.

When talking about passing yds, the Packers have yielded 3,074 yds, which ranks 7th in professional football. They have yielded 192.1 yds per game through the air, and are granting a completion rate of 65.4%. Overall, they have allowed 1,864 yards via the running game in 16 matchups for this campaign. They have relinquished 24 touchdowns via the pass, and 14 touchdowns to rushers. Overall, they are conceding 308.6 yards per contest, which has them ranking 11th in pro football. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.2 yds per rush on the ground and 116.5 rushing yds per game over the course of this year. The Packers currently rank 11th in football if you examine their defensive prowess, surrendering 21.5 PPG.

Get all of our NFL Expert Picks

The Vikings come into this matchup holding a record of 8-8 over the course of this year. The last time they stepped on the gridiron, the Vikings walked away with a victory by a final of 23-10 against the Detroit Lions. Max Brosmer finished the game with 51 yards on 9-16 passing while his quarterback rate was 62.2. He didn't throw any picks and his average yds per pass attempt was 3.2 yds. Justin Jefferson was a featured target for the Vikings, snagging 4 balls for 30 yards (7.5 yards per reception). Aaron Jones carried the rock 18 times for 53 yards, finishing the contest with 2.9 yards per attempt for Minnesota. The Vikings finished the game with a total of 161 yds while running 44 plays (3.7 yards per play). Minnesota rushed for 5.6 yards per tote, finishing with a total of 158 yards on 28 carries. Minnesota surrendered 30 attempts on the ground for 68 yards (2.3 yds per rush). The Vikings passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 62.1%, surrendering 163 yards on 18 for 29 passing.

The Minnesota Vikings average 269.5 total yards per contest, giving them a rank of 29th in pro football. They have an average of 106.5 running yards per outing, and have carried the football for 1,704 total yards. They have recorded 21 interceptions while granting 8 fumbles, and have been able to earn 143 1st downs offensively. The Minnesota offense has surrendered 866 yards on 109 penalties, which has them ranking 12th in pro football regarding making mistakes. On the campaign, the Vikings have thrown for a total of 2,608 yards via the pass and hold an average of 163.0 yards via the pass per outing, putting them 31st in pro football. When talking about their scoring prowess, the Vikings are ranking 26th in professional football, by scoring 20.5 points per contest.

The Vikings are giving up 20.6 PPG, giving them a rank of 10th in football. They have allowed 15 touchdowns by way of the pass along with 168.8 passing yds per contest, which has them ranking 3rd in pro football. Minnesota has surrendered a total of 1,982 rushing yards (123.9 total yards per game), in addition to 13 touchdowns via the ground game over the course of the season. The Vikings defense has been on the field for 975 plays, which has them ranked 14th in pro football. The defense has collected 21 turnovers (13 fumbles forced and 8 interceptions) on the campaign. On the whole, they have conceded 330 pts.

Who will win tonight's Packers-Vikings NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Vikings -7.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.