Note: If you’re looking for the 2016 NFC Wildcard
game between these teams, please go here: Seahawks vs. Vikings NFC Wildcard Preview and Pick
Seattle Seahawks (3-6) 3-6 ATS, 5-4 O/Uat Minnesota Vikings (8-1) 5-3-1 ATS, 6-3 O/U, NFL Week 11, Sunday, November 22, 2009 1:00 p.m. TV: CBS
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Seattle +11/Minnesota -11
Over/Under: 46.5
The Seattle Seahawks stay on the road this week as they travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings and Father Favre. The Hawks opened a three week road trip with a loss last week in the desert to the Arizona Cardinals 31-20. Seattle lost to the Cards at QWEST Field in October 27-3 and they looked like they were going to redeem themselves early on but it would not come to form. The Hawks jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter before the Cards knew what hit them, and then Arizonas offense finally showed up for the home crowd.
Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck was 26 of 52 for 315 yards 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. The Hawks looked as if they were on their way to route the Cards at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale last Sunday until they remembered how to lose. Despite great efforts from running back Justin Forsett and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh the Hawks still came up short. Forsett had a career day with 123 yards rushing on 17 carries and a touchdown. Houshmandzadeh had 9 catches for 165 yards in the loss.
Seattle desperately needs to clean up some offensive issues particularly in the backfield. The Hawks need to make Justin Forsett their number one back and get Rankin involved more as these two guys are young and extremely talented. It may be too late this season but at least give them more PT so they can shine next year. This will happen by default as starter Julius Jones is OUT with a broken rib and a bleeding lung.
The Hawks defense gave up some big plays and also had costly penalties which only helped the Cards get back into the game. Marcus Trufant is still trying to get back to game speed after missing the first 6 games. Trufant was beaten on a couple of routes that proved he was not 100 percent as in previous seasons. He made some big plays but he also gave up some big plays. Overall the Hawks played better than their first outing versus the Cards. Their offensive line is back and healthy but they just couldnt put points on the board when they needed them most.
The Minnesota Vikings continued their winning ways as they beat the Detroit Lions last Sunday 27-10. Vikings QB veteran Brett Favre was again, the Favre of old (no pun intended) as he was 20 of 29 for 344 yards and a touchdown. Favres favorite target was receiver Sidney Rice who grabbed 7 passes for 201 yards. Viking running back Adrian Peterson carried the pigskin 18 times for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns to push the Vikes to another W.
The QB matchup between Favre and Hasselbeck will be interesting and perhaps a throwback to the playoffs a few years ago when the Hawks faced Favre and the Packers. Obviosly this game will not hold a playoff vibe but the history may raise the bar a bit.
Seattle comes into this game averaging 20 points per game and allowing 22 while the Vikings are averaging 30 ppg and giving up 20.4 to their opponents.
The Seahawks are 0-6 SU, 0-6 ATS, and 4-2 O/U as the underdog this season. Minnesota is 7-0 SU, 4-2-1 ATS, and 5-2 O/U as the favorite this year. The Vikings are 4-0 at home and the Seahawks are 0-4 on the road this season. Seattle has won 2 of their last 5 games while the Vikings have won 4 of their last 5 and only have 1 loss (Steelers 27-17) on the season.
The line on this game opened at Minnesota -11 with a total of 46.5. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it rise to -14 by gametime Sunday. Check your favorite online sportsbook for the most updated lines.
Wilsons Pick: Minnesota 38, Seattle 21. Luck to ya.
