Vikings vs. Packers: NFL Week 8 Odds, Picks & Player Prop Bets

I’m Andrew Erickson, and I’m here to guide you through each game on the NFL slate, offering insights and recommendations on sides, totals, and player props that you can quickly turn into a big single-game parlay. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just dipping your toes into the world of NFL wagering this primer is designed to provide you with valuable perspectives and picks for the upcoming NFL week of action. Here are my top picks for Vikings vs. Packers.

NFL Betting Primer: Vikings vs. Packers

Green Bay Packers (+1.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings absolutely cooked those hoping for the 49ers to bounce back on Monday Night Football. Kirk Cousins was ALL PRIME TIME winning straight up despite being 7-point home underdogs.

Minnesota has been a rollercoaster ride to handicap correctly this season because all their games have been decided by one possession. They have obviously been on the short end of the stick in one-score games most of this season - after running hotter than the sun in that category last season - but eventually, they'd pick up a few wins/covers along the way.

A divisional matchup at the Green Bay Packers will surely be another close contest suggested by the 1-point spread that is essentially a pick 'em based on where you shop. Some books have Minnesota favored by one point while others have GB favored. Note that Minnesota opened as a favorite.

The best odds you can get (at the time of this writing) is GB +1.5 (-120 FanDuel).

The public perception and recency bias easily backs Minnesota in this spot after their massive win on Monday Night Football. The Packers haven't looked good since Week 1 when they faced the Bears. They are losers of 3 straight (two-by-one-score games) and their only other win came in a miraculous comeback versus the Saints.

The offense has regressed immensely with Jordan Love at the helm. However, they did start to heat up in the second half versus Denver scoring on three of their final four drives. They also were in a position to take the lead in the game (which they should have already had had they not missed an FG earlier), but Love was intercepted.

And ultimately, that's where I want to make my bets on this game. Avoid the sides because it's such a coin-flip matchup.

I am much more interested in betting the total. We've seen the Vikings play much worse on the road offensively in their last two road games against two pretty bad defenses between the Panthers/Bears.

Both games went under as a result.

The Packers’ defense has allowed just one passing TD per game to opposing QBs (the 9th-lowest percentage of passing TDs faced) and fewer than 250 passing yards. Only one QB has scored more than 20-plus fantasy points against them, and it took Desmond Ridder earning a rushing touchdown to get there.

Given that GB has gone under its projected total in 3 of its last four games. I heavily lean toward the under at 43 points.

Each of the Vikings’ last five games has gone UNDER the total points line.

And although I want to avoid picking a side - it's going to be a sweaty bet - I'd just buy the dip on the Packers at home with the +1.5.

Minnesota's not a team you want to bet on emerging victorious in one-score games with regression not on their side based on last year's results.

GB is more likely to come out the positive side of a one-score contest based on their 1-3 record in one-possession games this season, including their last two losses.

The home team has covered the spread in each of the last four games between the Vikings and Packers.

As for props, we have to aim for WR overs on the Packers’ side of the football. Minnesota has allowed the most receptions per game to opposing WRs. 6th in receiving yards allowed per game.

My Picks:

Under 42 (-110 BetMGM)
Packers +1.5 (-120 FanDuel Sportsbook)

My Props:

Kirk Cousins under 1.5 passing TDs (-102 FanDuel Sportsbook)
Christian Watson over 45.5 receiving yards (-125)

What is Betting Against the Spread?

Betting "against the spread" refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.

What is an Over/Under Bet?

Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.

What is a Moneyline Bet?

A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.