“Sunday Night Football” makes a triumphant return to the Emerald City as the Seattle Seahawks are once more set to host the Minnesota Vikings on prime-time television.
This is the third-straight year the Seahawks will face the Vikings under the lights, although this time it will be for “Sunday Night Football,” instead of on a Monday night like the previous two meetings.
On paper, this would appear to be a game many believe the Seahawks will walk away with easily. Seattle is 4-0 and a seven-point favorite against the 1-3 Vikings. Historically, the Seahawks own the Vikings. They lead the all time series 12-5 and are riding a six-game win streak dating back to 2012. Minnesota hasn’t notched a win since 2009. Not to mention Kirk Cousins’ atrocious prime-time record of 7-15.
But neither the Seahawks nor the 12th Man should expect an easy win. The Vikings may struggle to get the W in these showdowns, but they are well-coached and very competitive. Last year, the Seahawks built a 34-17 lead to start the fourth quarter but barely held on to a 37-30 win.
The year before was far more competitive than the 21-7 final score might indicate, as the Seahawks were still clinging to a slim 6-0 lead with only 2:54 left in the game. Before then? The infamous Blair Walsh missed-kick playoff game where Seattle escaped with a razor-thin 10-9 victory.