Week 14 Monday Night Football Betting - Seattle Favored Against Minnesota
December 9th, 2018
Minnesota-Seattle might be the most important game of the weekend. After the two NFC powers battle on Monday night, one will come out in a great position for a wildcard while the other will have to pick it up big time in the final 3 regular season weeks. Even the oddsmakers seem befuddled by this game, attaching a natural Week 14 Monday Night Football betting home line of SEA -3.0.
The Minnesota Vikings are only 1 ½ games behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North Division. If the Vikings win out, they could win the division, but Chicago has already beaten Minnesota once and the Vikes must play the Bears again in Week 17. For Minnesota, every game means something.
Beating Seattle won’t be easy. The Seahawks have been on fire in recent weeks, dominating their opponents and climbing to a 7-5 record. Seattle has no hope of winning the NFC West Division, since they’re too far behind the Rams, but they could grab the top wildcard. Then, who knows what happens if they end up beating their opponent in the Wildcard Round?
Both teams have a lot at stake on December 10 in Week 14’s most crucial matchup.
Opponents average 22.5 per against Minnesota. If you're wondering why the super powered Vikings haven't been able to become a spread buster, it's because their offense only provides 22.9 points per game for a narrow +0.4 point differential. Minnesota’s having trouble keeping opponents from moving the football just enough to put points on the scoreboard.
That has to change on Monday night and it must change against a Seattle team that’s suddenly become a force. The Seahawks haven’t scored less than 27 in 4 straight. Russell Wilson hasn't been putting up jaw dropping yards, but he has 11 touchdowns during those games. He's simply been a menace.
Although the easiest way for the Vikings to cool down the Seahawks is if their defense rediscovers the form it had last season, that’s not the only way to throw icicles at Seattle. Minnesota could open the offense and force Seattle into a shootout.
By doing so, the Vikings will take the Hawks out of their run first mentality, giving Minnesota a better chance of winning.
The win over the Packers might have been a turning point for Pete Carroll’s squad. From there, they upset Carolina on the road before dominating overmatched San Francisco.
The key for the turnaround is Seattle going back to being Seattle. When the Seahawks ruled the NFC, they relied on a top rushing attack and the Legion of Boom. Although this year’s unit doesn’t come close to the 2014 Super Bowl winning defense, the Seahawks have significantly improved at bending and not breaking. It's a serious nod to Carroll and his coaching staff that they've maximized the potential of a secondary that is without Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas.
Opposing teams now average less than 22 points. The Seahawks also rush for 148.8 per even though the attack is running back by committee.
Seattle seems to be peaking at the right time heading in to Week 14 Monday Night Football betting. They are an unusual team given all of the passing metrics that we have experienced this season, adn their penchant for using an unstoppable run game to open up big passing strikes can sink teams emotionally. The Seahawks are exceptional at knowing when to pick their spots, and Wilson's ability to keep plays alive with his legs makes gives defenses nightmares. On Monday night, the Seahawks must use the outlying strategy they have to send the Vikings back to Minneapolis with a loss.
The Hawks have gone 4-1-1 ATS in their last 5. That’s not the only trend that points to Seattle covering. The Seahawks are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings while the Vikings are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 in Seattle. Not only that, but Minnesota is 1-7 ATS versus a team with a winning record.
One stat that means a lot in this game is how Minnesota only averages 86 rush yards per. If the Vikings can’t establish the run, Seattle could sit back in a Cover 2 or even a Cover 3 and dare Kirk Cousins to beat them. All signs point to the Seahawks winning and easily covering the spread. Easy game to overthink, but the Seahawks are the play.
Week 14 Monday Night Football Betting Free Pick: Seahawks -3
The Minnesota Vikings are only 1 ½ games behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North Division. If the Vikings win out, they could win the division, but Chicago has already beaten Minnesota once and the Vikes must play the Bears again in Week 17. For Minnesota, every game means something.
Beating Seattle won’t be easy. The Seahawks have been on fire in recent weeks, dominating their opponents and climbing to a 7-5 record. Seattle has no hope of winning the NFC West Division, since they’re too far behind the Rams, but they could grab the top wildcard. Then, who knows what happens if they end up beating their opponent in the Wildcard Round?
Both teams have a lot at stake on December 10 in Week 14’s most crucial matchup.
NFL WEEK 14 MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL BETTING Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks Monday, December 10th – CenturyLink Field – 8:15pm ET Odds: Seahawks -3 (45.5)
Can Vikings Stop Russell Wilson? Can Anyone?
Last season, the Vikings leaned on the best defense in the NFL. This season, the Vikings haven’t been as good at stopping teams from marching into the end zone. While Minnesota ranks in the top 10 in passing, rushing, and total yards allowed, they rank 14th in points allowed.Opponents average 22.5 per against Minnesota. If you're wondering why the super powered Vikings haven't been able to become a spread buster, it's because their offense only provides 22.9 points per game for a narrow +0.4 point differential. Minnesota’s having trouble keeping opponents from moving the football just enough to put points on the scoreboard.
That has to change on Monday night and it must change against a Seattle team that’s suddenly become a force. The Seahawks haven’t scored less than 27 in 4 straight. Russell Wilson hasn't been putting up jaw dropping yards, but he has 11 touchdowns during those games. He's simply been a menace.
Although the easiest way for the Vikings to cool down the Seahawks is if their defense rediscovers the form it had last season, that’s not the only way to throw icicles at Seattle. Minnesota could open the offense and force Seattle into a shootout.
By doing so, the Vikings will take the Hawks out of their run first mentality, giving Minnesota a better chance of winning.
Seattle Peaking at Right Time
No team’s hotter in the NFL than the Seattle Seahawks. Visually, Seattle’s looked like one of the top teams in the NFC in victories over Green Bay, Carolina, and San Francisco.The win over the Packers might have been a turning point for Pete Carroll’s squad. From there, they upset Carolina on the road before dominating overmatched San Francisco.
The key for the turnaround is Seattle going back to being Seattle. When the Seahawks ruled the NFC, they relied on a top rushing attack and the Legion of Boom. Although this year’s unit doesn’t come close to the 2014 Super Bowl winning defense, the Seahawks have significantly improved at bending and not breaking. It's a serious nod to Carroll and his coaching staff that they've maximized the potential of a secondary that is without Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas.
Opposing teams now average less than 22 points. The Seahawks also rush for 148.8 per even though the attack is running back by committee.
Seattle seems to be peaking at the right time heading in to Week 14 Monday Night Football betting. They are an unusual team given all of the passing metrics that we have experienced this season, adn their penchant for using an unstoppable run game to open up big passing strikes can sink teams emotionally. The Seahawks are exceptional at knowing when to pick their spots, and Wilson's ability to keep plays alive with his legs makes gives defenses nightmares. On Monday night, the Seahawks must use the outlying strategy they have to send the Vikings back to Minneapolis with a loss.
Week 14 Monday Night Football Betting Analysis & Trends
Early action landed on Minnesota so that Seattle went from -3.5 favorites to -3. Since then, most NFL handicappers have gone with the Seahawks and steadied the line. It should stay where it is. The public - and the oddsmakers - have qualms about both sides. Seattle is an upset specialist, and Minnesota can look unstoppable at times.The Hawks have gone 4-1-1 ATS in their last 5. That’s not the only trend that points to Seattle covering. The Seahawks are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings while the Vikings are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 in Seattle. Not only that, but Minnesota is 1-7 ATS versus a team with a winning record.
One stat that means a lot in this game is how Minnesota only averages 86 rush yards per. If the Vikings can’t establish the run, Seattle could sit back in a Cover 2 or even a Cover 3 and dare Kirk Cousins to beat them. All signs point to the Seahawks winning and easily covering the spread. Easy game to overthink, but the Seahawks are the play.
Week 14 Monday Night Football Betting Free Pick: Seahawks -3
ADVERTISEMENT
