Vikings and Seahawks clash in Monday Night Football action

We have another treat for Monday Night Football. With five games left in the regular season, both the Vikings and the Seahawks could be division winners, wild card teams or (if they stumble greatly down the stretch) miss the playoffs. I don’t see the latter happening, but this game will go a long way toward determining playoff positioning in the NFC.

Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

Seahawks will have trouble running the ball

Even with quarterback and MVP candidate Russell Wilson, the Seahawks will struggle to move the ball on this Minnesota defense. The Vikings get a great pass rush from their defensive-end tandem of Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen (combined 15.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss). Their defensive line is weaker in the interior, but the Seahawks are not equipped to capitalize. Left guard Mike Iupati is having his worst season as a pro, and center Joey Hunt and right guard D.J. Fluker haven’t done enough to make up the difference. I don’t really see the Seahawks being able to run the ball much at all. They should, however, be able to throw the ball—especially with short and intermediate routes.

The Vikings get excellent safety play from Jayron Kearse, Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith, but they are much more susceptible at cornerback. Wilson should be able to spread the ball around effectively, but I’m not sure the chunk plays will be available.

The Vikings will try to play “bully ball” on offense, but I don’t think their offensive line has a serious edge against the Seattle defensive front. Running back Dalvin Cook should get his yards, but it will take more than handing the ball off to him to get out of CenturyLink Field with a win. I like the Vikings tackles, and Brian O’Neill and Riley Reiff will protect quarterback Kirk Cousins from edge pressure, but will he be able to do enough in the passing game?

Vikings will be without Thielen

Wide receiver Adam Thielen has been ruled out for this game, but the Seahawks’ secondary will still have its hands full with Stefon Diggs and the Vikings tight ends. It will also be interesting to see which linebacking Kendricks brother (Mychal for the Seahawks and Eric for the Vikings) plays a bigger role. Eric has had a hand in breaking up 12 passes this season.

The Seahawks are not going to win every close game, and the Vikings have the receivers to prey on a porous secondary. It’s always risky to bet against Wilson in a prime-time matchup, but that's what I'm doing.

Pick: Vikings +3

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