Ali Siddiqui’s Prediction for Vikings-Packers

The final week of the regular season is already here. The 8-8 Minnesota Vikings and 9-6-1 Green Bay Packers will face off Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Green Bay leads the all-time series 67-60-3.

Minnesota enters Week 18 with momentum and hopes to run its win streak to five.

Minnesota is on a four-game winning streak and won last week at home 23-10 against the Detroit Lions. Green Bay is on a three-game losing streak and lost to the Baltimore Ravens last week, 41-24 at home.

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Ali Siddiqui’s Case for the Vikings against Green Bay

This matchup will not be as exciting as most meetings between these two rivals, but a game between these two is never going to be completely meaningless. Fans, players, and coaches never want to lose against their rivals.

These two teams last faced each other in Minnesota in Week 17 of last season.

Sam Darnold went 33/43 for 377 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Justin Jefferson caught eight passes for 92 yards. Jalen Nailor caught five passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Blake Cashman tied for a game-high with 11 tackles and also recorded 1.5 sacks.

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“Just to see how he’s ultimately been able to maximize everything about his opportunity, our football team loves him for it,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “I’ve had an absolute blast coaching him.”

For Green Bay, Jordan Love went 19/30 for 185 yards and a touchdown. Josh Jacobs rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Romeo Doubs caught seven passes for 58 yards. On defense, Javon Bullard and Edgerrin Cooper each recorded 11 tackles.

Minnesota won 27-25 to improve to 14-2 on the season. They finished at 14-3 and earned a wildcard berth, but fell to the Los Angeles Rams on the road in the first round. Green Bay fell to 11-5, finished 11-6, and lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on the road in the first round.

While this has been a disappointing season for Minnesota, a win would be its fifth straight. If J.J. McCarthy also continues to play well, it would give the team and fans more confidence heading into the offseason.

After winning 14 games last season and having a very active offseason, Minnesota was expected by many to make the playoffs and perhaps challenge for the NFC North title once again. Yes, McCarthy was and still is unproven, but this team had nearly all its key players returning and also added Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen, and Isaiah Rodgers via free agency. They also traded for Jordan Mason.

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For the most part, they did not receive significant contributions from their new additions. Injuries did not help this team overall, but it was still a disappointing season. McCarthy had been playing well lately before his hand injury. His recent play has been a good sign, but his constant injuries are definitely a concern.

Can McCarthy stay healthy going forward and keep producing? That is certainly a possibility, but if he struggles in 2026 and/or cannot remain healthy, Minnesota should move on from the former Michigan Wolverine.

You have to wonder what Minnesota’s record would have been if McCarthy had no injuries or fewer, and what his overall season performance would have been. Having him appear in a playoff game, or even two, would have been very beneficial for him.

Even with Carson Wentz under center, they could have won another game or two. Minnesota has a good shot at winning this game. They not only have been playing well lately, but Green Bay also has nothing to play for this week, as they have already clinched the final playoff spot and cannot move up from there.

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Some fans may be rooting for a loss to improve their draft position, but many want to see the season end on a good note. Even in a meaningless game, Minnesota fans always want to see a win over their biggest rival. Again, some may still want a loss, but most do not and would not.

This also could very well be Harrison Smith’s final game in the NFL. Seeing him end his career with both a win and a good individual performance would be something Smith would never forget. You can bet this game will mean plenty to him, his friends, and his family.

Smith has been with the organization for 14 seasons and will forever be one of the best players in franchise history.

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It also could be the final game for C.J. Ham. He is 32 years old and an impending free agent. He, too, has spent his whole career in Minnesota. He has been with them from 2016 to 2025. This game could mean a lot to him, along with his friends and family.

Seeing both end their careers with a win would be something.

As Herm Edwards once said, “You play to win the game.”

Ending the season on a good note is something fans and players should always want. Higher picks do not guarantee anything either.

Prediction: Minnesota wins 24-10