With the two 2015-16 NFL-AFC Wildcard games on Saturday the 9th of January 2016, we then find the two 2015-16 NFL-NFC Wildcard games on Sunday the 10th of January 2016 and in the 1st NFL-NFC Game on Sunday we have the 10-6 Seattle Seahawks (NFC-West) playing the 11-5 Minnesota Vikings (NFC-North) with the game being played TCF Stadium (Capacity 50,805) in Minneapolis, Minnesota with the kick-off scheduled for 1:10 PM ET and seen on CBS TV.
For those of you who Bet on NFL football as SBG the early odds for this game has the Seattle Seahawks favored at -5 ½ with the Over/under at 40 and -240 on the Money Line, while the Vikings are listed as the underdogs at +5 ½ and +200 on the ML.
The Seahawks continued seeking the Super Bowl 50 as they beat the Cardinals of Arizona in Glendale, and are looking to have a big win over the Vikings this Sunday. However, the Vikings also playing well are seeking a victory and sending the Seahawks home with the loss.
If you are a fan of the 10-6 Seattle Seahawks surely you’re aware that your team broke the Cardinals 9 game win streak beating Arizona 36-6, and now the Seahawks want all fans to know, they are ready for Super Bowl 50. Their air attack went very well in the Arizona desert climate as QB R. Wilson completed some 19 of his 28 passing attempts for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns. Also RB C. Michael had a good game as he rushed for 104 yards of the teams 147 total yards rushing in that game. Since the Seahawks recorded some good numbers against the strong Cardinals defense, that is a good sign for the Seattle offense that has witnessed injury problems as the move on in this Wildcard Playoff game.
On offense TE C. Helfet has replaced the injured TE J. Graham and has been a main target for QB Wilson as in the ultimate 2 games he had 8 receptions for 86 yards without a TD, but against the Vikings pass defense that ranks 28th against TEs he may have better luck in this playoff game.
Most important for the Seahawks is the possible return of their star RB M. Lynch who has not played since back in November after suffering an injury to the abdomen. With Lynch back in the lineup Seattle will go to their running game against a more or less Minnesota defense, and since the Seahawks have averages some 142 yards rushing this season and that in the NFL ranks 3rd, and much of the time without RB Lynch in the fold.
In the first game this season between these 2 teams the Seattle defense managed to stall the Vikings offense as they allowed them just 126 total yards offensively in their 38-7 win over Seattle. In their last 5 road games the Seahawks are 5-0 straight up to date.
The fans of the 11-5 Minnesota Vikings saw their team beat the Packers of Green Bay on Sunday and therefore got this postseason playoff date with the Seattle Seahawks. Now that’s strange since that’s the team that in Week 13 beat the Vikings 38-7, but at least the Vikings have home field advantage in this game, and they are 6-2 at home against the spread in 2015.
In that last Sunday win over Green Bay the Vikings passing game struggle as QB T. Bridgewater only completed some 10 of his 19 pass attempts for 98 yards and 1 interception. Thus, as with most of the season the Vikings looked to their running game to gain 1st downs. Same as they did on Sunday in the Packers game as they rushed for 152 yards and are 4th this season in the NFL for rushing yardage and last in passing yardage.
With RB A. Peterson now at 30 years of age and running like a 23 year old the Vikings expect to test the tough run defense of Seattle in this game, since RB Peterson has finished the regular season as the top rusher in the NFL with some 1,486 yards rushing!
The Vikings could have 2 RB’s like A. Peterson but they still would need their QB Bridgewater to step up their passing game which could create more running room for the offensive backs. Naturally that means the Viking OL will have to play at their best in this game. Primarily since their pass protection this 2015 season has been very problematic as they have allowed their QB to be taken down some 45 times this season, and sacked some 3 sacks in Week 17 in the Packers game.
The online sportsbook prediction for the AFC Wildcard game is that the Seahawks prove to be the better offensive team and beat the Vikings in a close game 25-23 to move on in the playoffs!