The Seattle Seahawks are set to host the Minnesota Vikings in a prime-time affair Monday night at CenturyLink Field. The game is crucial to both NFC contenders, who are still eyeing their division titles but currently fighting for the top seed of the wild-card spots.
Here are the Week 13 keys to victory for both the Seahawks and the Vikings.
Vikings’ keys to victory: The Vikings are coming off their bye week well-rested and ready to face the Seahawks in primetime. Minnesota, like Seattle, is second in their divisional standings and can’t afford an NFC loss in the final stretch of the season.
The Vikings will need to rely heavily on their quarterback Kirk Cousins, one of the better signal-callers in the league with 21 touchdowns to only three interceptions. Cousins, whose record in primetime is less than sub-par, is actually in the midst of the best campaign of his career.
Minnesota’s defense, however, will have to find a way to stop Seattle’s own QB, Russell Wilson, who is enjoying an MVP-caliber year.
Seahawks’ keys to victory: Seattle has been a better road team this season and desperately needs a win in front of the home crowd. Hard to beat on the national stage, Wilson and Co. will need to stick to basics, relying on running backs Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny to pound the ground and set the tempo for a Week-13 win.
The Seahawks have finally found a way to rush the passer, which is exactly what they will need to do to stop Cousins and the Vikings’ offensive attack. That being said. . .
Matchup to watch: Vikings QB Kirk Cousins vs. Seahawks defensive ends Late in the season, Jadeveon Clowney has truly emerged as one of Seattle’s most formidable defensive weapons. Recently battling a hip/groin injury, his health could be a question mark heading into Monday night. Fortunately for Seattle, Ziggy Ansah has stepped up and will likely factor heavily into the game plan.
Who wins? The Seahawks will find a way to seal the deal with a statement win on Monday night but it might require some last-minute Wilson heroics to get the job done.
Seahawks 27, Vikings 20.
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