Vikings vs. Seahawks Week 5 Predictions, Odds, Preview

• October 11, 2020
• By Matt Blunt
• VegasInsider.com

Fresh off their first win of the 2020 season, the Minnesota Vikings head out West to take on the yet-to-be defeated Seattle Seahawks.

Minnesota's been here each of the past two seasons and lost straight up and against the spread both times, but this year's atmosphere there is nothing like what the Vikings had to deal with in the past and hopefully that's something Vikings fans can successfully hang their hat on this week.

That's because they've still got to find a way to slow down quarterback Russell Wilson, who's already one of the front-runners for the Most Valuable Player award this season.

Seattle's scored at least 30 points in all four games, have gone 4-0 ATS as well, and yet have been outgained in yards in three of the four wins, and haven't won any of their past three by more than eight points. That's the Russell Wilson effect.

Betting Resources

• Week 5 Matchup: NFC vs. NFC
• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Venue: CenturyLink Field
• Location: Seattle, WA
• Date: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020
• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | All

The Vikings are coming off their first win of the season as Minnesota heads west to battle Seattle. (AP)

Vikings-Seahawks Betting Odds

Line Movements

So it won't be easy for the Vikings in the slightest, but Seattle has allowed 30 or more in two of those past three wins, and if the Dolphins didn't keep settling for short field goals last week it likely would have been three in a row.

So no recent wins by more than eight points, routinely breaking even (or worse) in the total yardage battle, 4-0 ATS and opening up as a -9 favorite for this game.

Have we reached the point where Seattle's prices are too steep to be playing with? Early bettors certainly thought so with this point spread now sitting at just a single touchdown.

Odds Subject to Change

2020 Betting Stats

(Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under - O/U)

Minnesota

• Overall: 1-3 SU, 2-2 ATS, 3-1 O/U
• Road: 1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U
• Offense PPG: 26.5 (Rank T-14)
• Defense PPG: 31.3 (Rank 26)

Seattle

• Overall: 4-0 SU, 4-0 ATS, 3-1 O/U
• Home: 2-0 SU, 2-0 ATS, 2-0 O/U
• Offense PPG: 35.5 (Rank 2)
• Defense PPG: 27.3 (Rank 21)

Over vs. Under
Handicapping the Total

Through four weeks, the Seattle Seahawks already have plenty of signs that suggest they are what they appear to be: a team that scores 30 and gives up nearly that.

Eventually that should change – it's got to on defense if Seattle wants to keep winning, and how long can Wilson keep playing like this on offense – so it's all about trying to figure out if we've hit the peak or not with these Seattle totals. This number had some early 'under' love to it already as well when it was a shade or two higher.

Last year's game was a 37-30 win for Seattle, while 2018's contest went 21-7 in favor of the Seahawks, so we've seen these teams play out on both ends of the total spectrum.

Still not entirely sure Minnesota's offense is as good as it's looked in terms of having three of four games scoring in the 30's, and a 1-3 SU record despite that speaks to what the defense has done this year.

There is no way a defensive guy like Zimmer is happy with that, but how confident can you be expecting it to change against Russell Wilson. I guess facing Deshaun Watson last week was beneficial in terms of prepping for similarities, but the Vikings defense still nearly coughed up that game in the 2nd half.

Utilizing Dalvin Cook and the running game to keep Russell Wilson and their own defense off the field is something I expect to see from the Vikings in this one, and with a general belief that league-wide scoring is nearing its peak, following that early move and looking 'under' is the only way I'd go here.

Minnesota is on a 7-17 O/U run as an underdog, and probably aren't as comfortable in a gunslinger's game where they are on the side of Kirk Cousins in the Cousins vs Wilson battle.

Seattle knows things have to tighten up on defense to sustain this positioning in the standings, and it's not like the Vikings offense isn't known to shoot itself in the foot at times.

Head-to-Head History

• Dec. 2, 2019 - Seattle 37 vs. Minnesota 30, Seahawks -2.5, Over 48
• Dec. 10, 2018 - Seattle 21 vs. Minnesota 7, Seahawks -3, Under 45

Vikings vs. Seahawks
Handicapping the Side

Similar to last week's play on the Eagles and the points versus San Francisco, I'm not sure this week's NFC West side involved in SNF is really worth the line that's attached to their name.

A record of 4-0 both SU and ATS definitely jumps off the page, but they aren't blowing away teams and could just be in the middle of riding the ultimate heater their QB is on. Four weeks may or may not be too early to tell for sure, but I've got no interest in being on the chalky side of that proposition while I try to find out.

Remember, it's the 4-0 SU and ATS that jumps out, so no matter what, the Vikings are looking at this as a litmus test game for them and they really can't afford too many failures on that front after starting 1-3 SU.

Yes, it's Wilson, but they've also been in this exact position the past two years – on the road, in Seattle – and that's not a bad thing. Less noise is only going to help with the signals on both sides of the ball, and to have as much self scouting film on what has worked and what hasn't on Wilson in the past 24 months as they do – where he's been nearly as great – is invaluable as well.

Trusting the Vikings to execute on a high level is another ask, but there is plenty of wiggle room for a few errors there with this number being what it is. Remember, Seattle's defense is still trying to find any resemblance of their best selves, and a typical 2020 game for the Seahawks defense combined with a rough start for Wilson and the offense should end up in a Vikings outright win.

Those who aren't risk averse may want to go that route, but I'll stay a little more conservative instead.

Key Injuries

Minnesota

• CB Kris Boyd: Hamstring - Questionable
• CB Holton Hill: Foot - Questionable
• WR K.J. Osborn: Hamstring - Out
• WR Tajae Sharpe: Illness - Questionable
• LB Troy Dye: Foot - Out
• LB Anthony Barr: Pectoral - Out

Seattle

• G Mike Iupati: Knee - Questionable
• CB Neiko Thorpe: Hip - Questionable
• RB Carlos Hyde: Shoulder - Questionable
• S Delano Hill: Back - Questionable
• CB Quinton Dunbar: Knee - Questionable
• LB Jordyn Brooks: Knee - Questionable
• S Jamal Adams: Groin - Out

Vikings vs. Seahawks - Predictions

• Score Prediction: Seattle 28 Minnesota 27
• Best Bet: Minnesota +7
• Best Bet: Under 57