Seahawks at Vikings: Preview and prediction

Who wins between the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings?

The Seahawks are trying to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, while the Vikings are looking for their first trip since the dark days of Leslie Frazier, Christian Ponder and something called Joe Webb. Minnesota looks to be well on its way, sitting at 8-3 while Seattle is on the bubble, the sixth seed in the NFC playoff picture at 6-5.

Seattle has struggled mightily on both sides of the ball. The Legion of Boom has been giving up late leads throughout the year, while the offensive line has barely been more than a quiet rumor throughout the first 11 games of the year. Seattle has only survived because of Russell Wilson and an opportunistic defense.

The Vikings are home for this game and are two games better in the standings, but somehow come in as underdogs. The offense has not been great, but the unit has been good enough to make sure that the train keeps rolling. Minnesota has a balanced attack with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and running back Adrian Peterson, while the defense is led by end Everson Griffen and safety Harrison Smith.

This should be a hard-hitting game won in the trenches. Shockingly, this favors the Vikings.

Pick: Minnesota 20, Seattle 17