Packers vs. Vikings: Minnesota clinches NFC Wild Card

Add a fierce divisional rivalry into that mix, and the result was a game as hyped up as any regular season matchup this year.

Gates’ shock and jubilation perfectly reflects the thoughts of a fanbase only one year removed from an atrocious 3-13 season.

Peterson finished the regular season with 2,097 yards on the ground, becoming just the seventh player in NFL history to cross the 2,000-yard barrier. He totaled 13 touchdowns on the season.

Fantasy Impact: Peterson is contending for MVP and Comeback Player of the Year honors. Fantasy owners were plenty happy with his production this season, especially considering how far he dropped in a lot of fantasy drafts. Don’t expect Peterson to fall to the second or third round next year.

Nelson had missed three straight games entering Week 17 due to a hamstring injury. He was immediately able to return to his usual ways as a deep threat, however. On the season, Nelson is averaging over 15 yards per reception.

Fantasy Impact: Nelson struggled with injuries at times, but he was a solid WR2 with tremendous upside in standard fantasy leagues this season. Aaron Rodgers is a threat to put up video game-type numbers on any given Sunday, and Nelson should continue to benefit as long as he is in Green Bay.

Jennings appeared in just eight games during the regular season due to a litany of injuries. He finished the regular season with 36 receptions for 366 yards and four touchdowns.

Fantasy Impact: It was a forgettable season for Jennings, but Sunday’s big outing proved that he is still a very good fantasy option when healthy. He should be back near the top of draft boards next season, minus a few spots due to injury concerns. He may actually be a nice sleeper, with so many fantasy football owners likely avoiding the wideout due to his poor 2012 season.

Rodgers once again finished the regular season among the top passers in the NFL. He completed 67 passes for 4,295 yards, 39 touchdowns and eight interceptions on the season. Over his last three outings, Rodgers threw 10 touchdowns to zero interceptions.

Fantasy Impact: Rodgers didn’t quite live up to the lofty standards he set last season, but he was still a top-flight fantasy quarterback in 2012. He was slightly less consistent, producing big numbers in fits and spurts, but when he was on he was among the best fantasy options in a given week. He will likely be one of the top quarterbacks taken in drafts next season, and with good reason.

Peterson is continuing with one of the best rushing seasons in NFL history. In addition to his impressive yardage he has 13 total touchdowns on the season. AP also went over the 100-yard mark 10 times this season.

Fantasy Impact: Peterson has been an absolute beast and is getting it done again in Week 17. He was limited to one of his worst games of the season last week in what was fantasy championship week for many, but is making up for it in Week 17.

Coaches are not allowed to challenge plays that are automatically reviewed by NFL officials, like fumbles. Throwing a challenge flag results in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct and, if the flag is thrown before the booth buzzes down, the challenge is nullified.

It didn’t work. The play was still challenged, because the booth buzzed before the flag was thrown, but McCarthy was penalized 15 yards as a result.

Aside from one hilarious mishap, Jennings has been magnificent today.

Jennings rewarded fantasy owners patient enough to stick with him at the end of the season. Regardless of where he plays in 2013, he remains an elite fantasy option.

It has been a remarkable season for Adrian Peterson, even if he fails to reach the overall record. In only six games he failed to reach 100 yards rushing, and ran for over 150 yards on six occasions. Averaging 6.0 yards per carry, Peterson has been a huge reason why the Minnesota Vikings have been ensconced in an unexpected playoff hunt, just a year removed from a 3-13 season.

All eyes will be on running back Adrian Peterson, who is 102 yards away from a 2,000-yard rushing season and 208 yards shy of the single-season rushing record. In Week 13’s loss at Green Bay, Peterson churned for 210 yards and a touchdown.

Eric J. Thompson from the Daily Norseman says this game could come down to Christian Ponder:

With both the Packers and Vikings still very much involved in the playoff picture, this game will have major implications for the rest of the NFC. All of the possible NFC playoff scenarios for this weekend, including those for both the Vikings and Packers can be found here.

4:25 p.m. ET Dec. 30