by James Q
Wednesday, Sep 22, 2021Seattle Seahawks vs Minnesota Vikings Prediction, Wager and Preview - 09/26/2021
Game Time: 4:25 pm ET, Sunday, September 26th, 2021
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening MLB Odds at USA Sportsbooks
FanDuel: Spread: Seattle -1.5; Over/Under: 55.5 points
BetMGM: Spread: Seattle -1.5; Over/Under: 55.5 points
Caesars: Spread: Seattle -1.5; Over/Under: 55.5 points
Season Record
Seattle: 1-1 (NFC West)
Minnesota: 0-2 (NFC North)
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Seattle Seahawks vs Minnesota Vikings Preview and Analysis
RECENT FORM
The Seahawks won their season opener against the Indianapolis Colts 28-16. Everything seemed easy, within their control. Then Game 2 was a dogfight, they lost to the Tennessee Titans 33-30. A back and forth battle that exposed the Seattle defense of having so many years removed from the Legion of Boom, that they no longer are.
The Vikings opened the NFL season with two painful losses. The first opponent was the Cincinnati Bengals who slugged it out with the Vikings until the final score of 27-24… a 3 point loss for the Purple.They followed that performance in the worst way… a 1 point loss to the Kyler Murray led Arizona Cardinals that ended with a missed 37-yard field goal. So, the Vikings are 0-2 and find themselves the slight underdog about to face QB Russell Wilson. The Vikings odds of making the playoffs go down week after NFL week.
Offensive Analysis
Seattle is scoring 29 points per game and netting 407 yards. The offense is humming along behind Russell Wilson, RB Chris Carson, and WR Tyler Lockett. WR DK Metcalf is having a slow start to the season with 56 yards per game, but the speed and skill will break-through.
The Vikings are playing well on offense. They average 28.5 points a game from 425 yards per game… half a point less than Seattle, but 20 yards per game more. The usual suspects are back for Minnesota… QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Adam Thielen. The rising new faces are the new receiving corps. K.J. Osborn and Justin Jefferson. They both were 2020 draft picks and they both have more receiving yards than Adam Thielen on less targets. They are swimming in young talented receivers.
Defensive Analysis
The Seattle defense gives up 24.5 points per game and 461.5 yards per game. They have recovered 2 fumbles but so far zero interceptions. The coverage will need to be top form against Minnesota’s receivers and Kirk Cousin’s big arm.
The Vikings’ defense gives up 30.5 points per game and 456 yards per game. They have lost two games by a total of four points! This could be a defense where one easy change fixes the whole thing... or maybe they just play to the competition and won’t be able to handle anybody. The defense didn’t miss the field goal, but they didn’t stop the score that led to needing the field goal either.
Seahawks vs Vikings Prediction
Our prediction for Sunday, September 26th is…. Seahawks 28 - Vikings 24
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NFL Betting Trends
Seattle is 1-1 against the spread (ATS)
Minnesota is 1-1 ATS this season
Seattle is 1-1 O/U on the season
Minnesota is 2 Over
Key Injuries
Seahawks: Dee Eskridge WR (Questionable), Bryan Mone DT (Questionable), Brandon Shell RT (Questionable), Tre Brown CB (Out).
Vikings: Anthony Barr LB (Questionable), Christian Darrisaw T (Questionable), Everson Griffen DE (Questionable).
Players to Watch
Vikings: RB Alexander Mattison. Dalvin Cook is a bit banged up and listed as Questionable for this game. He may play, but they will have to keep checking in on him if he does. It will be up to Mattison to pick up the slack.
Seahawks: TE Gerald Everett. It’s time for Russell Wilson to use a little spice when he cooks. Gerald is big and strong and not targeted nearly enough. Not everything has to be a mad scramble from Russ to find a wide receiver working their way back from a busted route. Sometimes Russ should just hit the big guy 2 seconds in and take the 7.7 yards per catch that he offers.
Notable Quotes
“He got rolling, and when he gets rolling, he’s dangerous,” - Seahawk Jamal Adams about Derrick Henry after the overtime loss last week.
“I felt good about that kick,......I knew he had missed the extra point earlier but he has been kicking good, we are indoors, perfect surface. I am thinking this should be an easy one here.” - Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. Throwing his kicker under the bus after the missed field goal also missed the win.
Starting Lineups
Seahawks: QB Russel Wilson, RB Chris Carson, WR DK Metcalf, WR Tyler Lockett, WR Freddie Swain, TE Gerald Everett, LT Duane Brown, LG Damien Lewis, C Kyle Fuller, RG Gabe Jackson, RT Brandon Shell
Vikings: QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Justin Jefferson, WR Adam Thielen, WR K.J. Osborn, TE Tyler Conklin, LT Rashod Hill, LG Ezra Cleveland, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Olisaemeka Udoh, RT Brian O’Neill
Statistical Leaders
Seahawks:
Passing: Russell Wilson 597 yards
Rushing: Chris Carson 122 yards
Receiving: Tyler Lockett 278 yards
Tackles: Bobby Wagner 33
Vikings:
Passing: Kirk Cousins 595 yards
Rushing: Dalvin Cook 192 yards
Receiving: K.J. Osborn 167 yards
Tackles: Eric Kendricks 26
Interceptions: Nick Vigil 1
Weather Forecast
Partly Cloudy, high of 74*... Humidity 46%, wind 8 mph.
James Q
About the Author:
James Q. has been involved with sports and gambling his entire life. A former division 1 scholarship basketball player, James understands sports (and especially basketball) inside-and-out. Following his basketball playing days, James parlayed his gambling skills into a semi-pro poker career. James resides in Los Angeles, and especially loves the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Rams, and Los Angeles Dodgers. And when he isn't betting on sports (and writing about it), James can be found performing stand-up comedy on the Sunset Strip.
