Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 8 vs. Vikings

The Green Bay Packers (5-1) and Minnesota Vikings (1-5) will face off on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 8 matchup with the Vikings will go down:

Zach Kruse (4-2): Packers 30, Vikings 20

The wind factor could slow the Packers some on Sunday, but unless the offense makes a bunch of mistakes and the Vikings control the ball, it’s difficult seeing how Mike Zimmer’s bunch can escape Lambeau Field with a win. The Vikings defense is devastated, both at cornerback and pass-rusher, and Kirk Cousins has been a turnover machine behind a shaky offensive line. The guess here is that the Packers will start fast, control the proceedings for much of the contest and then hold on for a comfortable win. It’s been a successful formula for the Packers against bad teams all year. The Vikings are a bad football team. A team wanting that coveted No. 1 seed in the NFC needs to take care of business at home on Sunday.

Jack Wepfer (4-2): Packers 34, Vikings 21

Look at the Vikings’ depleted secondary. It’s a barren wasteland reminiscent of the 2016 Packers led by LaDarius Gunter as the team’s No. 1 corner up against some guy named Julio Jones. It’s just going to be too difficult for Minnesota to contain the Packers’ offense without Danielle Hunter or Yannick Ngokue, whom they just traded to Baltimore. Rodgers will have a big day. I do see Justin Jefferson being a problem for the Packers, but not enough to make it close

Marty Kauffman (5-1): Packers 42, Vikings 20

Minnesota is most likely to be down their top three cornerbacks which means Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams could potentially surpass their record day from Week 1. This Vikings team is coming off their bye week but they are not the imposing foe for the last few years. The defense will need to make early stops to keep Minnesota hopes down as they will most likely roll over early if they are down big early.

Anthony Nash (5-1): Packers 35, Vikings 28

The Packers enter another week ready to face off against a team with a depleted secondary. So far, this has done wonders for Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, and could mean such again. With the Packers defense doing a solid job at containing Deshaun Watson, they’ll have to step up once again, as even though Minnesota’s record is bad, they still have the playmakers necessary to score. Even with that in mind, though, it’s hard to bet against Green Bay here.

Nolan Stracke (6-0): Packers 38, Vikings 26

If the Vikings thought Week 1 was bad, they’re without their top three corners and their best pass-rusher has been traded away. Thanksgiving came early this year for the Packers’ offense because they will feast. Dalvin Cook remains a point of focus for the defense, but if the Packers score early and often, the Vikings may have to abandon the run game early again. Once the run game is taken away, play-action becomes an empty threat and that is when Kirk Cousins makes his mistakes. The Packers’ defense will need to take advantage of this and limit the garbage time scores they allowed in Week 1.

Joe Kipp (5-1): Packers 39, Vikings 27

Why the odd score? For starters, the Packers could be without kicker Mason Crosby (calf, back). Crosby hasn’t missed a game since being drafted in 2007. Green Bay could be forced to go for two rather than kick extra points if Crosby can’t play. On offense, the Packers should have no trouble putting up points. They scored 43 in their first matchup with Minnesota, and it could be even more this time around. In what was already a weak secondary, the Vikings’ top three cornerbacks have all missed practice this week. I don’t see Green Bay struggling in this game. The Vikes get a score in garbage time to make the score look a little more respectable, but the Pack still win by double-digits.

Grant Matheny (5-1): Packers 31, Vikings 20

Coming into the season, I thought that this game could possibly decide who earns the NFC North crown. Turns out, the Vikings just are not that good. However, Green Bay still has a really great shot at finishing atop the division. The Vikings are beat up and the Packers are coming off a solid victory. Even without Aaron Jones, the Green Bay offense will thrive while the defense makes some big plays. I got the Packers winning this one 31-20.

Brandon Carwile (1-1): Packers 35, Vikings 17

I expect a big day from Green Bay’s defense. They have two interceptions on the year and one is against Kirk Cousins. Cousins leads the NFL with 10 thrown picks and the Packers could get multiple on Sunday. Offensively, Davante Adams is in store for a monster game. Minnesota could be without their top 3 corners and Adams already put up over 150 yards on the Vikings in week one.

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