Vikings 26It's not surprising most favor Seattle given the current trends of each team, but I know both teams well and if you look at it, I think the Vikings matchup very well.
I wrote something on the Seahawks somewhere else in the thread, but essentially, on offense, they are very efficient. They run the ball very well and when they throw it's usually productive. Of the quarterbacks who have thrown at least 25 TD's, Russ has the least attempts by far out of those QB's, so they are very dependent on a strong run game and then picking their spots in the pass game (lots of PA). Against the Vikings defense, that won't be so easy with Linval and Richardson eating up the inside. An underrated aspect of Danielle Hunter's game is stopping the run, so they won't be able to gash the Vikings like I think most expect. They're running backs aren't flashy and their key cog, Chris Carson, is a guy who is more of an AP-type rather than the elusive kind of running back. The way the Vikings rally to the ball as a defensive unit, they should be all over Carson. Basically, even though Seattle's offensive line is much improved from a season ago, the Vikings defensive front is easily the better unit of the two and will wear them down. Without the run game clicking, it makes things very difficult for Russell. In 3 of their 5 losses, Russell had over 30 attempts, which is not their recipe. While Wilson can create magic, he's still susceptible to getting sacked and their Oline isn't as great at pass pro as it is in the running game department. Lockett has been Seattle's most effective receiver. He doesn't get all too many receptions, but he usually beats a team deep once or twice a game and usually for a score. Doug Baldwin coming off injury this season has not been to the level he has been in his career. The Vikings should be able to handle the WR's and their front 4 should give Russ fits when the pass by getting a ton of pressure. I imagine the Vikings pick their spots to blitz again because if you blitz and miss, Russell will eat them up by extending the play, but Zimmer has done a great job this season in picking his spots to blitz. I just really don't see Seattle's offense having the day it will take to win. Minnesota's defense is the best they've seen by far since playing Chicago in week 2, where they got blown out. Minnesota's defensive speed is much more than that of Seattle's offense and I think that will present challenges.
On the other side of the ball, Seattle's defense is good. The secondary is young and opportunistic, LB's are one of the better units in the league with holdovers from that SB team with Wagner and Wright. They aren't the best up front though and Kirk should have time. They are also dead last against the run when it comes to yards per attempt. By saying Minnesota wins, I'm assuming one thing for their offense in that Zimmer gets to DeFilippo and the they run the ball like they want to -- much like Seattle's recipe. All the circumstances are there to really get the run game going and it keeps the opportunistic defense at bay. Vikings will be able to take shots against Seattle, but it's definitely incumbent on having a run game. Seattle struggled stopping the Rams and while Minnesota doesn't have an offense with that explosion, they still have great talent and a duo of receivers that Seattle hasn't seen. Not to mention that Rudolph is coming on late, so Kirk should have no problems spreading the ball, taking his shots and the offense putting up points.
My main worry...Easily, the biggest worry is Kirk and holding onto the football. No fumbles and a clean passing game -- which given the gameplan I mention that I think they will employ, he shouldn't need to force anything and can take what's there and still have a big day -- and I think Minnesota controls the clock when they need to and scores points and they will win.
Playing in Seattle is a factor, but it all comes down to playing the game and again, I just like how Minnesota matches up with Seattle, so it shouldn't matter where they play.
Seahawks 17
