With nothing on the line, the Green Bay Packers send out a practice squad QB to face an elite defensive coordinator in Week 18.
Of all the games played between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, this is certainly one of them. The Packers (9-6-1) take on the Vikings (8-8) in Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season with absolutely nothing on the line.
For Green Bay, the difference between 10-6-1 and 9-7-1 really doesn't matter. The Packers are locked into the NFC's seventh seed anyhow, and with players like Tucker Kraft, Devonte Wyatt and Micah Parsons out for the season, they really don't have a ton of hope for a playoff run.
Perhaps the best the Packers can hope for is a rematch with the Chicago Bears in the first round and a chance to ruin Ben Johnson's first playoff apperance as a head coach.
The Vikings, in the meantime, are at least playing to try to end this season with a winning record. They also have a chance to end this thing on a five-game win streak, which has to mean something for Kevin O'Connel.
Does ending this season on a four-game losing streak mean anything for Matt LaFleur? All indications would suggest he couldn't care less. If he did care, he wouldn't be starting a practice squad player at quarterback while resting many starters.
If you're sick enough to be excited for the JJ McCarthy vs. Clayton Tune matchup, boy, do we have a preview for you.
Game Time:
12:00 PM Lambeau Field Time
TV Channel:
CBS
Betting Odds:
Vikings -9.5 per DraftKings, O/U 36.5
Key Matchup: Clayton Tune vs. Vikings' DC Brian Flores
Clayton Tune was a star at the college level for Houston, but the NFL has not been kind to him anytime he's stepped on the field. In his first and only start, back when he was with the Arizona Cardinals, he threw for 58 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Last weekend when he got in against the Baltimore Ravens, he threw for eight yards and an interception.
Tune is nothing more than a practice squad player at the NFL level, which is scary for him because he's going up against one of the most aggressive and creative defensive coordinators in the NFL in Brian Flores.
If Tune can make it out of this game without turning the ball over multiple times, it will be a small miracles.
Key Quote: Packers Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich on rookie WR Matthew Golden
"I think right now, like, he will. And the good thing is that the last couple of weeks you’ve seen just like his rapport with [quarterback] Jordan [Love], making plays out in practice. But it’s tough right now," Stenavich said when asked how Matthew Golden can get more involved in the offense. "It honestly is because you got Christian [Watson], you got Romeo [Doubs], you got [Jayden Reed] back. These guys have got really good experience and they’re really good players. Those are the guys you’re leaning on right now. I think Golden’s got a really bright future. He’s very talented and his time will come, but I think, right now, with the room the way it is, he’s not gonna be in that premier role when the playoffs come around. But, again, if you told me that he’s the number one receiver on a play, I’d be very excited about it, too. We have a lot of really good options when it comes to wide receiver right now, which is a blessing."
Prediction:
Vikings 17, Packers 9