1 of 6 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB
0 of 10 experts (1 of 11 total had not submitted) pick the Vikings, ESPN
0 of 4 experts pick the Vikings, The Athletic
Thought from The Athletic's J.J. Bailey:
At 4-6, the Vikings playoff hopes are effectively toast, but they'll be a main character the rest of the way thanks to the parity within their division and throughout the NFC.
Sunday's game against the Packers, for instance, carries tremendous consequences for Green Bay, whose playoff odds would take a 20 percent haircut with a loss. Currently, the Packers have a 76 percent chance at the postseason, with a 35 percent chance at hosting a Wild Card game. A defeat at home to Minnesota trims the former down to 58 percent and makes the latter a fantasy. Worse, it would mean any loss that followed would take their playoff chances below 50 percent.
The Vikings defense can still dismantle just about anyone on a given week, and given the Packers propensity to lose the plot on offense, Green Bay feels particularly vulnerable in Week 12. Minnesota remains a run-funnel defense, boasting the second-best pressure rate in football and the seventh-best EPA per pass allowed. Normally, this would be a job for Josh Jacobs, but his knee injury means that even if he plays, he'll be diminished and at risk of an early exit. Jordan Love has played well for the most part, and given his rail gun of an arm and the Vikings weakness against the deep ball, he could very well buy the running game some breathing room. But he too often lets the devil take the wheel, attempting unnecessary feats and either killing drives or turning over the ball as a result.
If Brian Flores' Vikings defense can lead the impetuous Packers quarterback into temptation, Minnesota can easily control the ball most of the game.
0 of 6 experts pick the Vikings, USA Today