Minnesota Vikings (8-3 SU, 6-5 ATS) vs. Seattle Seahawks (9-2 SU, 6-5 ATS)
Week 13 NFL
Date/Time: Monday Night Football, December 2, 2019 at 8:15PM EST
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: ESPN
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: MIN +3/SEA -3
Over/Under Total: 49
In big NFC action in week 13, the Minnesota Vikings take on the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in a battle of conference contenders on MNF. These teams could be meeting later with the stakes even higher, but this still stands out as an important matchup for both teams, who each still have their sights set on a division title. Minnesota is coming off the bye, which followed a big come-from-behind win over the Broncos to get them to 8-3. Seattle came off the bye last week and posted a conclusive 17-9 road win at the Eagles. At 9-2, things are looking up and a win here would keep them in the running for some really big things.
Seattle came off the bye last week to play Philly, so it might be hard to push an angle of them being worn down. Still, it's late in the season and the rigors of the schedule could start to manifest. They get a tough first-place Vikings team after a tough road spot in Philly. Before that was the protracted overtime thriller with the Niners and that came on the heels of another titanic struggle in yet another overtime war with Tampa. After this, they have the Rams and Panthers in consecutive road games. So while the Seahawks have done great this season, this trying stretch will end up determining where they really stand and it's a punishing run of games to say the least.
STOP WASTING YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY! STOP LAYING -110 ODDS! START LAYING ONLY -105 TODAY AND BET THE VIKINGS VS. SEAHAWKS MNF GAME AT THE WEB'S BEST SPORTSBOOK: 5DIMES
Minnesota is coming off the bye and looking to take on their final stretch of games with gusto as they finalize the touches on their playoff push. After a lukewarm 2-2 start where we were seeing a lot of the same things we saw last season in a letdown year, they have taken off with 6 wins in their last 7 games, their only loss a three-point defeat at Kansas City. While still winning, the break maybe came at the right time, as the Vikes have covered just once in their last four games and looked a bit listless in spots. Their last act before the break, however, was a memorable one, overcoming a 20-0 halftime lead to beat the Broncos, 27-23.The newfound vitality of the Minnesota offense has been a key to their rise this season. It seems just as their offense and Kirk Cousins started catching a lot of flack, they kicked it into another gear. With 21 TD throws and just 3 picks with over 70% completions, it's hard to call out Cousins now, as he' has been in great form. The week off should give Adam Thielen a chance to get back in there and with Stefon Diggs and tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith, Jr., the aerial attack is vital. Making it really come together however, is the explosion in form of Dalvin Cook, who is over 1000 yards rushing this season, along with 455 yards receiving. And while their line isn't top-rated, they haven't been terrible in pass-protection, while helping spring a good run-game, with both Cook and Alexander Mattison thriving in the backfield.
The week off should help the Minnesota defense, which looked to be losing a tad of resistance in their last several games. And the week off helped bring some players around to better health on this side of the ball, with Harrison Smith, Ben Gedeon, Anthony Harris, and others dinged up. They have been pretty resilient against the run. Against the pass and about to face Russell Wilson is another issue. Not that the secondary is bad, but it lags behind the front seven in terms of stoutness. This defense can get turnovers and rushes the passer and should be tough on a Seattle front that isn't always great.
Against a Philadelphia offense that is mired in dysfunction, the Seahawks were able to thrive on Sunday, as their offense sometimes labored. Enough big plays by Russell Wilson and Company were enough to steer them to the winner's circle. While not pretty, it's a nice preamble for what could be a mighty struggle for them on MNF against the Vikings this week. They have now won 4 in a row and 7 of 8. The Saints are the only NFC team to beat them this season so far.
We didn't see the best version of the Seattle offense on Sunday. For all their issues, the Eagles can still bring the noise on defense. Wilson did just enough and has been very clutch this season. They have an offense that has different guys who can step up on a given day to help get the win. On Sunday, we saw Rashaad Penny come out of mothballs and run for 129 yards, including a rambling 58-yard touchdowns that gave the Seahawks a leg-up. Look for Wilson to unveil more of the Seattle aerial attack on MNF, with Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and maybe Josh Gordon getting more untracked.
There were some good signs on Sunday from a Seattle defense that has lagged behind the offense in terms of team contributions. Tre Flowers and Bradley McDougald each registered picks. Despite being without Jadeveon Clowney, they got to the quarterback with major impact, with Raheem Green forcing a fumble, with Ziggy Ansah getting 1.5 sacks. It seemed like the bye week served this group well, as after allowing 58 combined points in two games leading up to the break, they were stiff and playmaking against Philly and a big part of the win. It could get a lot harder this week.
It's easy to justify a few different takes in this game. Both offenses are ones that can do a lot of damage in this setting. Barring rain or some other weather element, I see a lot of offense. It will be chilly, but I don't see that getting in the way. I see offense shining in this spot, which might not be that unique of a piece of insight. That's a pretty easy takeaway when looking at this game. I just see it being to a greater extent than what some might think. I'm going with my instincts and taking the over in this one.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting that the Minnesota vs. Seattle game will go over 49 points. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today by signing up and betting the Minnesota vs. Seattle MNF game at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 50% sign-up bonus!
