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NFL picks: Predictions for Vikings vs. Packers | Saturday Night Football (12/23/17)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Brad Rempel/USA Today Sports)

By Joe Giglio

jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com,

NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Week 16 of the 2017 NFL season will feature a marquee Saturday Night Football game on Saturday, December 23, 2017 (12/23/17) when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. on NBC.

The Vikings are led by head coach Mike Zimmer, quarterback Case Keenum and wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Minnesota comes into the game with an 11-3 record.

The Packers are led by head coach Mike McCarthy, quarterback Brett Hundley and linebacker Clay Matthews. Green Bay is coming in off a Week 15 loss over to the Browns, and heads into the contest with a 7-7 record.

Here's how our experts see the game playing out.

Matt Lombardo: Case Keenum has been playing like a top-10 Quarterback for much of the season, and only three of his passes hit the ground last week against the Bengals. Brett Hundley has been slightly less impressive as the Packers' QB. The Vikings need this game to keep pace with the Eagles for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Packers are ready for the season to be over. Vikings 34, Packers 16.

Joe Giglio: If Aaron Rodgers was healthy and playing at his normal level, this would be a fun game to watch. Now it's just about Minnesota putting pressure on Philadelphia for the No. 1 seed. Vikings 31, Packers 17.

James Kratch: The Vikings are going to the playoffs and are still in the hunt for a first-round bye, as well as home field advantage if the Eagles stumble. The Packers are two weeks from cleaning out their lockers after their 10-year postseason run came to an unceremonious end when the Falcons eliminated them on Monday night. And Aaron Rodgers is back on injured reserve. So this is an easy pick. Vikings 27, Packers 14.

Reference : http://www.nj.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/12/nfl_picks_predictions_for_vikings_vs_packers_satur.html