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Expect Watered Down MN Vikings Finale
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- Expect Watered Down MN Vikings Finale
Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
At 8-8 the Minnesota Vikings are eliminated from playoff contention because they play in one of the NFL's most competitive divisions. After pulling an upset against the Detroit Lions on Christmas, there's a chance that Kevin O'Connell's team finishes with a winning record.
The Green Bay Packers are the only team yet to lose against Minnesota this season. That's very possible to change in the season finale, and they'll be helping the Vikings position themselves for a victory.
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Minnesota Vikings favored against resting Packers
The season wasn't supposed to go this way for the Vikings. Minnesota didn't spend a boatload of money to have their chances at a Super Bowl all but thwarted by midseason. J.J. McCarthy has been bad, and Max Brosmer has been worse, but the Packers will rest their starters and that makes the Vikings favorites.
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With Green Bay locked into the NFC's No. 7 seed, they are expected to rest key players next week.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2025
Jordan Love didn't play in the Packers Saturday night loss against the Baltimore Ravens due to a concussion. He won't play in Week 18 either, and it will be Malik Willis up against the Brian Flores defense.
With their loss, the Packers officially can't win the NFC North regardless of what the 11-4 Chicago Bears do on Sunday Night Football. Locked into the 7-seed, they have no reason to put any players in harms way. Assuming McCarthy's broken hand is still an issue (and it makes little sense for him to be out there anyways), Max Brosmer will get the start.
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Despite having yet to throw a touchdown , and putting up a four interception performance in his debut, Brosmer starts as a six-point favorite against the division rival.
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
He is 1-1 as a starter, having knocked off the Lions. He could also be credited for the New York Giants win after replacing McCarthy at halftime . The former MN Gophers quarterback has completed 63.5% of his passes this season, but the script has been extremely conservative due to his limitations.
Regardless of who or how many players the Packers hold out, it would still be comforting to see Brosmer and the Vikings put up a competent performance. There has been little of that from the quarterback position this year, and a massive reset in 2026 is a must.
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