No, it’s not Father’s Day.  Not that kind of tie.

Back in week 2, these two NFC North “juggernauts” treated us to a 29-29 tie of futility.  Let’s hope for more of the same tonight, shall we?

To coin a phrase from the lovely and talented Scotchnaut….

….TO THE GAME!!!!!

Packers @ Vikings (-3.5, -175, o/u 48)

Time: 8:20pmEST – TV: NBC

The Vikes are favored at home, of course.  That’s understandable.  From a betting standpoint however, I wouldn’t touch this game.

After their very hilarious tie in week two, whichever club wins this one has a potential tiebreaker and still has a real shot at an NFC wildcard slot.  The loser should probably go ahead and play for draft position, and all which that implies.  Minnesota has won four of their last six.  Green Bay has lost four of their last six.  Neither has a shot in hell at catching the Bearistocrats.

Two NFC North rivals in prime position to battle for the final wild card spot (AthlonSports.com)

Instead, the battle between these two teams this week, highlighted on “Sunday Night Football” may be for the final NFC Wild Card spot. The Vikings currently have it, sitting at 5-4-1 but have one of the league’s most difficult schedules down the stretch. Games against the Patriots and Seahawks remain (both on the road) along with one more against the Bears.

The Packers, meanwhile, sit at 4-5-1 but their schedule gives them an opening. Games against the Cardinals, Falcons, Jets and Lions could leave them at no worse than 9-6-1 if they’re able to beat the Vikings on the road. Can Rodgers pull off some magic despite working with a depleted receiving corps?

[snip]

But Rodgers has also been streaky, hamstrung due to some hamstrings. That’s kept Randall Cobb out for five of the last seven games; another of Rodgers’ favorite targets, Geronimo Allison, is on injured reserve with a groin injury. Their absence has left the load to talented young receivers like Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Equanimeous St. Brown; but they play more like deep threats than possession receivers. Guys like Jimmy Graham (two catches the last two weeks, fractured thumb) have to step up for Rodgers to have the right options when it matters.

Cousins, meanwhile has more weapons, including the emergence of Adam Thielen into one of the game’s top five receivers. Thielen’s 131 yards against the Packers were his second-best effort of the season; his 85 receptions overall lead the NFL. Add in another 71 grabs by Stefon Diggs and the Vikings own two of the top six pass catchers in the league.

The problem is Cousins has a habit of stumbling over his own two feet. He’s thrown four interceptions the last three weeks, including two against the Bears’ top-tier defense. Only Russell Wilson has more fumbles this year than Cousins’ eight, leaving him constantly battling to overcome his own mistakes. It’s one thing to throw for 300 yards; it’s another to do it after giving your opponent a pick-six along the way. The Packers’ defense has hardly been intimidating, producing just 12 takeaways (tied for 20th in the league). But they picked off Cousins last time and another mistake Sunday night could be the game-changer.

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Hell man, I dunno.  Packers are 0-fer on the road this season.  But gut still tells me to take the points and the cheesedicks in this one.  I guess we’ll find out together.

But I really do think it would be great to get another tie.

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