The Minnesota Vikings (12-2) visit the Seattle Seahawks (8-6) in Week 16. Our Vikings vs Seahawks prediction is underdog Seattle to cover the 3-point spread.
With little fanfare, the Vikings have won seven straight to catch the Lions in the NFC North and atop the conference. Both are tied with Philadelphia. Detroit beat Minnesota 31-29 in Week 7, so they hold the tiebreaker. Seattle is tied with the Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFC West.
Head-to-head, Seattle leads with a record of 13-6.
Offshore Odds: Minnesota a Field Goal Favorite on the Road
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | -3 (-105) | -155 | O 42.5 (-107) |
| Seahawks | +3 (-115) | +135 | U 42.5 (-113) |
The Top Seed is in the Vikings’ Sights
The number one seed in the NFC is in the Vikings’ hands. If they are still tied with the Lions by Week 18 when the two teams play, they have a great shot at getting home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
The NFL has various tiebreaking procedures, so Philadelphia can also win all three games and take the top seed.
First, Minnesota needs to get past Seattle.
The Vikings can put up the points in bunches. They have scored 20 or more points in every game this season but one. At the start of the season when rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy — expected to be the starter — tore his meniscus, they turned to journeyman Sam Darnold.
Darnold has made himself perhaps the most sought-after free agent this coming offseason with 29 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions and 3,530 yards passing. The Vikings have a strong running game with Aaron Jones and one of the game’s most explosive receivers in Justin Jefferson.
Their primary weakness is against the pass. Seattle can be a problematic opponent because their strength is their passing attack.
The Seahawks’ Math is Simple
Seattle needs to win to make the playoffs. Their best path is to win the NFC West, but they are currently tied with the Rams. The Rams beat them head-to-head in Week 9. LA has a better conference record, so even if they end up tied in the standings, the Rams will take the division.
These are just some of the arcane NFL tiebreaking procedures.
In a way, it simplifies matters for the Seahawks. Their 30-13 loss to Green Bay in Week 15 broke a four-game winning streak that vaulted them to first place. Worse, quarterback Geno Smith injured his knee and had to leave the game. He is expected to play against Minnesota. Running back Kenneth Walker missed the Green Bay game but is also expected back against the Vikings.
Vikings vs Seahawks Prediction: Seattle Fights to the Last
Although Minnesota is 12-2, they have played a large number of close games that could easily have gone the other way. They won by two over Green Bay, five over Jacksonville, three over Chicago, and one over Arizona.
Underdog Seattle will keep this game close and hold it within the 3-point spread.
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