The Green Bay Packers close out the 2025 NFL regular season in Minnesota against the Vikings. Green Bay enters this week’s game with a 9-6-1 mark while the Vikings are 8-8. The Packers fell to the Ravens last week, 41-24 while the Vikings defeated the Lions 23-10. This game will have no impact on the Packers playoff seeding or opponent and the Vikings are already eliminated from postseason contention. Both teams are expected to rest a lot of starters. Here are the keys to victory for the Packers in their Week 18 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Packers lead the all-time series between these two teams 66-59-3 in the regular season. That includes Green Bay’s 23-6 win earlier this season. The two teams first met during the regular season in 1961 when the Vikings entered the NFL. The Packers and Vikings have split their two postseason meetings.
Here are the keys to victory for Sunday’s game in Minnesota:
Packers Keys to Victory vs Vikings, Number One: Contain Justin Jefferson
We still don’t know who will be starting at quarterback for the Vikings and whether that quarterback will play the entire game. But regardless of who will throw the football, Justin Jefferson remains the Vikings most dangerous offensive weapon.
Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine will have the primary responsibility of containing Jefferson perhaps with some help from the newly signed Trevon Diggs.
Jefferson has not had his usual numbers this year because of the Vikings quarterback struggles. He has 76 catches for 947 yards and just two touchdowns. He needs 53 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the season.
The Green Bay defense will likely remain zone heavy and two-high, trying to prevent big gains and make the Vikings be patient. Expect the Packers to have safety help on Jefferson for most of the game.
Number Two: Get Pressure on the Vikings Quarterback
The Packers have just one sack since Micah Parsons was lost for the season and they have not been able to put sufficient pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The Vikings quarterback needs to feel some pressure and cannot have all day to throw the football. The Packers may play some younger edge rushers like Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, and Brenton Cox. These players will have an opportunity to show what they can do alongside the remaining veterans who will play.
Sacks aren’t necessary, but some pressure is or if J.J. McCarthy plays, he could do some real damage against the Packers struggling secondary.
Packers Keys to Victory vs Vikings, Number Three: Keep the Vikings from Running Effectively
The Packers defense was embarrassed last week by Derrick Henry and the Ravens. The run defense will have to recover and prevent the Vikings from getting similar results.
Former Packers running back Aaron Jones hasn’t practiced Wednesday or Thursday and may miss this game due to a hip injury. Jordan Mason did practice Thursday despite an ankle injury and will probably be the Vikings primary ball carrier. Mason has gained 664 yards to lead Minnesota this season and averages 4.6-yards per rush.
The Packers may rest some veteran starting linebackers or defensive linemen, but they still must find a way to contain the Minnesota rushing attack especially if McCarthy doesn’t start. The Packers took poor angles to the ball, had bad technique and a poor overall effort last week against the Ravens. That cannot happen again.
Number Four: Read the Blitzes of Brian Flores
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores likes to disguise his blitzes and send different people from different spots on the field on nearly every play. With Clayton Tune making only his second NFL start, this could pose a big challenge for him.
The Packers may also sit some injured offensive linemen like Zach Tom. This will further complicate the team’s ability to handle the various pass rush options Flores likes to throw at opposing quarterbacks.
Look for Matt LaFleur and Tune to keep things simple and emphasize quick release passes to minimize the impact of Flores’ blitzes.
Packers Keys to Victory vs Vikings, Number Five: Get Matthew Golden More Involved
The Packers are likely to sit Christian Watson in this game and maybe limit the reps for some of the other veteran receivers. Dontayvion Wicks did not practice Wednesday or Thursday due to a concussion and will also likely be kept out of Sunday’s game.
Getting rookie first-round pick, Matthew Golden more involved in the offense would help boost the rookie’s confidence heading into the playoffs. If the Packers concentrate on short and quick release passes, Golden will have to win quickly right off the snap of the ball to be effective.
Getting fellow rookie Savion Williams more targets would also help if he’s healthy and ready to go. Williams missed Thursday’s practice due to an illness.
Number Six: Establish the Running Game
The Vikings run defense ranks 22nd in the league in yards allowed per game with 123.9. They are vulnerable to the run and with a practice squad quarterback starting, the Packers should run the ball more often than usual.
The Packers would be wise to rest Josh Jacobs who continues to struggle with knee issues. The most important thing is to have Jacobs as healthy and ready for the playoffs as possible.
That will mean the Packers will likely go with the combination of Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks. Running the ball effectively can keep the inexperienced Tune from facing too many must-pass situations and give the offense a chance to move the football.
Prediction:
This game means nothing to the Packers, and they will treat it almost as a preseason game with younger players taking on bigger roles and key starters sitting the game out. The most important thing is not to suffer any new injuries and to rest key players.
The Vikings would like to finish the season with a winning record and if he’s healthy, get another look at McCarthy before the offseason.
This game could be ugly for the Packers offense but hopefully the defense rebounds from last week’s ugly performance. Expect a low-scoring and sloppy game overall.
Vikings 14, Packers 10
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