Vikings vs. Packers odds: Kirk Cousins out (COVID), Sean Mannion or Kellen Mond to start as spread nearly doubles for Sunday night Week 17 game

No offense to Bills receiver Cole Beasley, but the most high-profile player in the NFL who was notably unvaccinated that was public knowledge dating to the summer was Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, a two-time Pro Bowler called his vaccination decision "a very private health matter." Unfortunately, that decision may now cost the Vikings a chance at the playoffs as Cousins has tested positive for COVID and is out for Sunday night's game at Green Bay. The Packers were -6.5 at Caesars Sportsbook but are now -13.5.

Cousins was terrific in Minnesota's 34-31 victory over Green Bay in Week 11, throwing for 341 yards and three scores. In eight career starts vs. the Packers (one with Washington), Cousins is 4-3-1 and has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,254 yards, 18 TDs, five picks and a stellar rating of 110.4.

Overall this season, Cousins is the fourth-rated passer in the NFL at 101.3, completing 66.4 percent of his throws for 3,971 yards, 30 touchdowns and seven picks. Last week in a loss to the Rams, Cousins had his 20th career 300-yard passing game with the Vikings, setting a franchise record.

In addition, Cousins has thrown at least two touchdown passes in 10 consecutive road games, joining Tom Brady (14 in a row from 2010-12), Peyton Manning (12 from 2013-14), Matt Ryan (11 from 2018-19), Brady (11 from 2003-04) and Brett Favre (11 from 2001-02) as the only NFL players to have such a double-digit streak. 

Frankly, it's not out of the question that Cousins has played his final game for the team. 

Minnesota's backup is journeyman Sean Mannion, but he tested positive for COVID last Sunday. Under the new protocols, he could be cleared to play. (Update: Mannion was activated off the list.) If not, it would be Kellen Mond, a third-round rookie out of Texas A&M who hasn't taken a regular-season snap. Maybe the Vikings prefer to see what Mond has regardless. In the preseason, Mond completed 28 of 51 for 310 yards, no TDs and a pick for a rating of 65.0.

The Vikings also are without Pro Bowl receiver Adam Thielen, who had season-ending surgery this week. Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook will be back from protocols. Minnesota had to win out and get help to earn a wild-card spot as it was. Missing the playoffs is expected to cost Coach Mike Zimmer his job.

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