Sunday’s slate of Wild Card action in the NFL pits a team loaded with playoff experience against the new kids on the block when the Seattle Seahawks invade TCF Bank Stadium to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The Seahawks (10-6 SU) erased an ugly 2-4 start to the season by recapturing their old form and winning eight of their remaining 10 games, while the Vikings (11-5 SU) rattled off three straight wins to end the year. Minnesota’s Week 17 road conquest over the Green Bay Packers made them the NFC North champions for the first time since 2009.
To many NFL pundits, the third-seeded Vikings may have lost by winning that game. Seattle is the #6 seed, but they’re a team no one wanted to play heading into the postseason. If Minny fell to the green and gold, they would have returned to the frozen tundra this weekend to face a Packers team that’s looking out of sorts in many facets of the game, particularly offensively. Adrian Peterson and company are NFC North champs, but they certainly won’t be resting easily with the Seahawks coming to town.
- The total has gone OVER in the Vikings’ last four wildcard games.
- The Seahawks are 4-0 SU in their last four wildcard games.
- The UNDER is 6-1-1 in Vikings' last 8 playoff games.
You certainly can’t blame Vikings’ players if they’re looking a little nervous ahead of the game. Seattle pummelled Minnesota in Week 13 by a score of 38-7 in a game Vikings’ backers would like to forget. Seahawks’ signal-caller Russell Wilson continued his late season resurgence by tossing for three touchdowns and running for another, the third time in as many games that the quarterback threw at least three scores with zero interceptions.
The point spread will rightfully garner significant action in this game, as both squads were very profitable on the season. Minnesota finished as the best spread bet in the league at 13-3 ATS, while Seattle’s second half tear saw them produce five covers in their last six games. Pete Carroll and company opened as 5.5-point road chalk at most sportsbooks. It’s a big sample size, but it’s worth noting Minnesota is 3-10 ATS as a playoff underdog since 1988.
Most shops opened the total for the playoff tilt at 42, which will likely appeal to trend seekers who like to bet on totals. The Norsemen were one of the top UNDER teams in the NFL this season, as the OVER/UNDER went 4-11-1 when the Vikes took the field. Seattle is entering the playoffs on a four-game UNDER streak.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Minnesota Vikings in this one found them as 5-point underdogs earlier in the week at [custom Sportsbook-link], while the total was sitting at 42. Ice cold temperatures are expected for the game. As a result, the total has been bumped down to 39.5 as of Friday.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 27-18 win for the Seahawks on Sunday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Seattle Seahawks vs Minnesota Vikings Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Minnesota Vikings currently sport a record of 11-5, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 13-3 ATS. The Seattle Seahawks are 10-6 and 8-7-1 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Minnesota Vikings post a 4-10-2 over under record this season, while the Seattle Seahawks have gone 7-9 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Minnesota vs Seattle injuries news.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 13-rated Minnesota Vikings and the No. 1-ranked Seattle Seahawks, according to the NFL Power Rankings here at Odds Shark.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Minnesota's No. 16-ranked offense, averaging 22.81 PPG, against a Seahawks defense that ranks No. 1 this week at 17.31 PPG. The Vikings aerial game is averaging 183 yards per game, less than the Seahawks secondary allows through the air, 210.25 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Seattle Seahawks own the league's No. 1-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 73.5 yards per game when on the road. Minnesota, on the other hand, rates No. 5 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out, Russell Wilson threw for 3 scores and 197 yards in leading his team past Arizona at University of Phoenix Stadium.
The Vikings grabbed a Week 17 victory over the Packers in their last game, winning 20-13 at Lambeau Field.
- Seattle is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
- Seattle is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games
- Seattle is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Minnesota is 13-2 ATS in its last 15 games
- Minnesota is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
- Minnesota is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games at home
- Minnesota is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Seattle home to , Wednesday, December 31st
Minnesota home to , Wednesday, December 31st
