by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Sep 22, 2021
Game time: 4:25 p.m. ET, Sept. 26, 2021
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Where to watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Seahawks -2; O/U 55.5; Seahawks -130, Vikings +110
BetMGM: Seahawks -2; O/U 55.5; Seahawks -125, Vikings +105
Caesars: Seahawks -1.5; O/U 55.5; Seahawks -125, Vikings +105
Season record
Seahawks: 1-1
Vikings: 0-2
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Seahawks - Vikings preview and analysis
Recent form
Seahawks: lost 33-30 (OT) vs. Titans in Week 2
Vikings: lost 34-33 at Cardinals in Week 2
Normally consecutive losses filled with heartbreak would signal a breakthrough for the struggling team, especially in their home opener.
Not in the case of the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, as I like the Seattle Seahawks to win and cover at U.S. Bank Stadium.
No team has been struck with more on-field bad luck the first two weeks than the Vikings, who could very well be 2-0 right now. If not for the ball sailing wide right off the foot of kicker Randy Bullock, the Vikings would be celebrating what would’ve been the biggest win of the early season over the Arizona Cardinals.
Couple that with that overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, it’s just been a bad time for Skol Nation.
Instead, the Vikings are 0-2 heading to Minneapolis for the first time. The good news is the offense has not been the problem. Particularly, Kirk Cousins has not been an issue. The star quarterback is completing nearly 72 percent of his passes and has not thrown an interception to this point. He threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns against the Cardinals.
Minnesota’s defense, however, outside of Danielle Hunter, has been bad. While the Vikings got two interceptions off Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, he still threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns on that defeated secondary.
This is the kind of talk Russell Wilson and the Seahawks want to hear one week after torching the Tennessee Titans defense. Tyler Lockett caught eight passes for 178 yards and a 63-yard touchdown.
Even though DK Metcalf had a quiet day (six catches, 53 yards), 2020 sixth-round pick Freddie Swain had a breakout performance with five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown in the loss. This group is more than capable of handing it to the Vikings secondary.
It’s also hard to believe after the afternoon the Seahawks defense had in trying to stop Derrick Henry, that head coach Pete Carroll won’t make adjustments to slow down Vikings star Dalvin Cook. Henry gashed Seattle’s run defense with 182 yards and three touchdowns in Tennessee’s overtime win in Seattle. If the Vikings can’t open things up for Cousins to get the ball to Justin Jefferson or Adam Thielen, it’s going to be an unwelcoming homecoming for Minnesota.
Prediction
The Vikings had an extremely difficult time trying to contain Murray, and Wilson won’t be any easier. The Super Bowl champion seems to be getting better with age, and he should be able to put on another show in a dome. Seahawks by 10
Betting trends
The Seahawks are 21-9 in their last 30 in following games after scoring, and allowing, 30 points. They’re also 6-0 ATS after allowing 450 yards or more in their previous game.
The Vikings are 36-19 in their last 55 as a home underdog.
The over is 13-5 in Minnesota’s last 18 games, but the under is 35-16 in Seattle’s last 51 September road games.
Players to watch
Seahawks: Chris Carson had two rushing touchdowns last week, but the running back had only 31 yards on 13 carries. Minnesota’s run defense is a good test and good chance to have a breakout game.
Vikings: Minnesota star Adam Thielen has been an endzone magnet the first two weeks. After scoring twice against Cincinnati, Thielen had one more against the Cardinals despite only six receptions for 39 yards.
Key injuries
Seahawks: RB Rashaad Penny (questionable)
Vikings: DE Everson Griffen (questionable), LB Anthony Barr (questionable)
Statistical leaders
Seahawks:
Passing: Russell Wilson -- 597 yards, 6 TD, 0 INT
Rushing: Chris Carson -- 122 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Tyler Lockett -- 278 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Bobby Wagner -- 33 tackles
Vikings:
Passing: Kirk Cousins -- 595 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT
Rushing: Dalvin Cook -- 192 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: K.J. Osborn -- 167 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Danielle Hunter -- 4 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
