The Minnesota Vikings started the season slowly, struggling to a 2-2 start. Since then, though, they have won six of seven and are now 8-3. Their only loss in that stretch came on November 3, when they went to Kansas City and lost by three. Since then, they beat Dallas on the road by four and then beat Denver at home by four, heading into their bye. Now they head west to take on a Seattle team on a roll at 9-2, just a game behind San Francisco in the NFC West. The Seahawks have won four in a row since losing to Baltimore on October 20, beating Atlanta, Tampa Bay, San Francisco and Philadelphia. However, none of those wins have been easy, as the largest margin of victory has been eight points, and two of those wins went to overtime. Can Seattle get that tenth win and put some heat on the 49ers? Or will the Vikings pick up a big road win? Don’t miss our sports betting preview for the next installment of Monday Night Football.
Vikings vs Seahawks 2019 NFL Week 13 Lines & Betting Pick
Today’s #Vikings injury report. *The Vikings didn’t practice on Thursday (11/28) and the practice report is an estimation. pic.twitter.com/fdCGRU4sx5
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 28, 2019
- When: Monday, December 2, 2019, 8:15 pm ET
- Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: Westwood One
- Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
- NFL Odds: Seattle -3
Why should you bet on the Vikings?
Seattle does allow almost 285 yards through the air per game, and Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is having an outstanding season, posting a 21:3 TD:INT ratio. He’s not the fastest quarterback in the league, but he does have a couple of rushing touchdowns. He benefits from time in the pocket, and the Seahawks don’t have a particularly dominant pass rush, with just 22 sacks so far this year. Wide receiver Adam Thielen is questionable for the game, but Stefon Diggs is good to go. So far he has 880 receiving yards and five scores, and tight end Kyle Rudolph has caught five touchdown passes this season.
The Vikings have also gotten solid production out of Dalvin Cook this year, as he already had a 1,000-yard season, with 11 touchdowns, as well as 455 receiving yards. Alexander Mattison can also carry the ball, with 394 yards of his own in 2019. The Vikings’ defense has been serviceable this season, but they will have their hands full containing Russell Wilson.
Why should you put your money on the Seahawks?
The Seattle Seahawks have won five in a row over Minnesota, including that infamous playoff outdoor playoff win in 2016 in Minneapolis, when the Vikings had to play at the University of Minnesota due to the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium, and the game started at -6 degrees Fahrenheit. The ball had the consistency of a rock that day, which contributed to Minnesota missing a short field goal as time expired, sending Seattle on to the next round.
Russell Wilson is also having a career year, putting up a 24:3 TD:INT ratio and throwing for 2,937 yards so far, and running for 271 yards and three scores. He has been sacked 33 times this season, as the Seahawks’ O-line has been dreadful at times. Minnesota does have 31 sacks as a team this year, so if Seattle wants to win, they will have to give Wilson time in the pocket. When Wilson does have time to throw, his top targets have been Tyler Lockett (63 receptions for 831 yard and six scores) and D.K. Metcalf (638 receiving yards and five scores). Chris Carson has put up solid numbers out of the backfield, rushing for 879 yards and four scores, while picking up 220 receiving yards and scoring two times on catches. If you like Seattle, you know that the 12th Man will be loud and raucous at CenturyLink on Monday night, and that Seattle has four tough wins in a row.
Final Score Prediction
It’s hard to bet against Seattle at home, particularly in prime time. There are some games when the Seahawks don’t show much of an attention span, but with San Francisco losing to Baltimore last week, the Seahawks have a chance to move into a tie for the division lead with a win. I predict a final score of Seattle 30, Minnesota 24.
