The Minnesota Vikings will battle the Green Bay Packers in a classic NFC North matchup. It's time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Packers-Vikings prediction and pick.

Another season, another first-place finish in the division for Green Bay. The Packers have been as dominant as any team in the NFL this year, earning a league-best record of 12-3. One of those three losses came at the hands of the Vikings earlier in the season, but both of these teams are at drastically different points then they were at the first meeting. The Packers have gone a perfect 4-0 since that loss, while the Vikings have gone 2-3 in that span. Because of that less than inspiring span of games, Minnesota has fallen out of the playoff picture. Another loss here would end their postseason hopes for good, so there's plenty to watch for in this one.

Here are the odds for the Vikings-Packers Week 17 game, courtesy of FanDuel.

NFL Odds: Vikings-Packers Odds

Minnesota Vikings: +13.5 (-114)

Green Bay Packers: -13.5 (-106)

Over: 42.5 (-110)

Under: 42.5 (-110)

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Why The Vikings Could Cover The Spread

While it's true that the Vikings will be missing quarterback Kirk Cousins in this game, they still have one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL to lean on. Running back Dalvin Cook will be back in action for this game, spearheading one of the deadliest running attacks in the league. Minnesota has averaged 146 rushing yards per game in their last three contests, all three of which were against solid defenses. Expect the Vikings to lean on their run game here.

The last time these two squads played, Minnesota was able to turn Green Bay into a one-dimensional offense. The Packers only managed to run for 95 yards in total. That one-dimensional play allowed the Vikings to rush the passer with greater efficiency. If Minnesota can pull that off again, they would give themselves a much better chance at slowing down Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Why The Packers Could Cover The Spread

Minnesota has relied on their offense to carry them to wins all season long, but that formula has very little chance of success here. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was just placed on the COVID list, and wide receiver Adam Thielen was just shut down for the rest of the season. Cousins' absence means that backup signal-caller Sean Mannion will take the field against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Mannion hasn't played meaningful snaps in his entire career, so this should be a perfect matchup for the Green Bay defense.

This isn't a bad matchup for the Packers' offense either. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still one of the best in the game, and he's facing a horrendous Minnesota pass defense. The Vikings allow almost 250 passing yards per game and seven yards per attempt. Starting cornerback Cameron Dantzler is questionable for this contest, making things even easier for Rodgers and the offense.

Final Vikings-Packers Prediction & Pick

This is a huge spread, but there's no reason to think that Green Bay can't cover. The Vikings were almost completely reliant on their offense this season, and that offense has taken a huge blow with the loss of Cousins and Thielen. Lock in the Packers for this one.

Final Vikings-Packers Prediction & Pick: Green Bay Packers: -13.5 (-106)