The marquee matchup of the NFL Week 17 slate sees the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings clashing on Sunday afternoon.
These two teams put on an entertaining performance in their first meeting, and this game has major playoff implications for both teams. As such, players on both sides will be stepping up to make big plays.
Find out more as Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold headlines our favorite Packers vs Vikings player props and NFL picks for December 29.
Packers vs Vikings props
Kraft o34.5 receiving yards (-115 at BetMGM)- Jacobs o16.5 receiving yards (-115 at BetMGM)
Darnold o1.5 passing TDs (-130 at BetMGM)
Read full analysis of each pick.
Packers vs Vikings props
Prop bet #1: Tucker Kraft Over 34.5 receiving yards
Tucker Kraft is becoming a very reliable piece to this Green Bay Packers offense, as Jordan Love has been getting him more involved over the past month. He’s averaged at least 13 yards a catch in five consecutive games, with 34 or more receiving yards in four straight.
Wide receiver Christian Watson is doubtful for this game, which means more targets to go around, and I like the tight end to be one of the primary benefactors of those extra looks. Kraft has been targeted 60 times this season, but 18 of those have come in the last four weeks and he’s caught all but four of them.
Tight ends are averaging better than 50 yards per game against the Minnesota Vikings, a defense that ranks third-worst in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. Kraft also caught six of nine targets for 53 yards in the first matchup between these teams in September.
Minnesota is very strong against the run and they will be without safety Harrison Smith. Those two factors should lead to Kraft getting at least five targets and eclipsing a modest total of 34.5.
Prop bet #2: Josh Jacobs Over 16.5 receiving yards
The Vikings are playing exceptionally well against the run this season. Minnesota ranks second in the NFL allowing just 3.2 yards per rushing attempt, and has allowed the second-fewest yards and fewest rushing touchdowns of any team.
In the last head-to-head meeting, Love targeted Jacobs six times for 27 yards through the air. Seattle running back Kenneth Walker also caught eight passes out of the backfield last week against Minnesota for 28 yards, as the Vikings kept giving up easy check-downs.
The Packers will want to get the ball into Jacobs’ hands in ways where he can make plays, and throwing him the football is probably a more effective way to achieve that goal. 17 yards is a low floor and one he should reach with ease.
Prop bet #3: Sam Darnold Over 1.5 passing touchdowns
There have been only four games this season in which Sam Darnold has not thrown multiple touchdown passes, as the 27-year-old quarterback has completely reinvented his career in Minneapolis.
When these teams met at Lambeau earlier this season, Darnold completed 20-of-28 passing attempts for 275 yards and three TDs. He posted his third-best QBR of the season against the Packers, and he should fare well against a Packers defense that still has Pro Bowl corner Jaire Alexander playing at less than 100%.
Green Bay allows the fifth-fewest yards per carry of any team in the NFL, along with the 10th-fewest rushing scores per game. The Vikings will need to utilize the passing game against a defense that ranks 22nd in opponent passing completion rate.
Darnold has thrown 15 touchdowns in his last six games, and it’s hard to see him not getting a pair here.
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