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More Bettors Taking Seahawks as 3-Point Favorites vs Vikings, But 67% of Money on Minnesota

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NFL Football

Updated Dec 2, 2019 · 6:00 AM PST

Kirk Cousins fist pump reaction
Kirk Cousins leads the Vikings into Seattle in a battle of NFC heavyweights on Monday Night Football. Photo from @nypost (Twitter).
  • The Vikings and Seahawks clash on Monday Night Football, each chasing a division title
  • QB’s Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson are 1-2 in passer rating ranking in the NFL
  • Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below

Much is yet to be determined in the NFC playoff picture, but Monday Night’s enticing matchup between the Minnesota Vikings (8-3, 3-3 away) and the Seattle Seahawks (9-2, 3-2 home) will go a long way in determining if each of these current Wild Card holders can elevate themselves to a division title. Kickoff for this crucial tilt in the Pacific Northwest is scheduled for 8:15pm ET.

With San Francisco’s Week 13 loss at Baltimore, the ‘Hawks can pull into a tie atop the NFC West with a win, while also holding the head-to-head tiebreak. And the Vikings need a win of their own to keep pace with the Packers, who bested the Giants.

Minnesota Vikings vs Seattle Seahawks Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Over/Under odds at BookMaker
Minnesota Vikings +130 +3.0 (-120) Over 50.0 (-109)
Seattle Seahawks -150 -3.0 (+100) Under 50.0 (-111)

*Odds taken December 1

Having a look at the Vikings vs Seahawks odds from Bookmaker, the public is putting 64% of their wagers on the home team. However, two-thirds of the betting money (67%) has been put on the visiting Vikings. Let’s figure out how you should wager here.

Resurgent Cousins Key for Vikings

After a rocky 2-2 start, Kirk Cousins has found his footing as the Vikings’ pivot and the team has flourished, going 6-1 in their last seven games. Cousins has been the driving force, throwing for 2,020 yards on a crisp 73.3% completion clip, tossing 18 touchdowns and just two turnovers.

In fact, he has gone 177 pass attempts without an interception, the current longest active streak going in the NFL.

While Russell Wilson has been getting praise as an NFL MVP candidate (though Lamar Jackson has been making the most noise), Cousins is at least in the same ballpark as Wilson.

Kirk Cousins vs Russell Wilson Statistical Comparison

Cousins
VS
Wilson
21 (5th) TD Passes 24 (T-1st)
70.6% (4th) Completion Percentage 67.3% (T-8th)
114.8 (1st) Passer Rating 112.1 (2nd)
2,756 (11th) Yards 2,937 (7th)
22 (T-19th) Sacks Taken 33 (T-4th)

*NFL rank in (brackets)

Both are doing it at a high level right now, but only recently have we started to hear how impressive Cousins has been. Perhaps that’s because they’re more known for that power running game behind Dalvin Cook, and also because the Vikings’ roster is pretty loaded, while Wilson is thought to do more with less.

At least on Monday, Minnesota should be closer to full strength, as receiver Adam Thielen, guard Josh Kline, nose tackle Linval Joseph and safety Anthony Harris are expected back in the lineup. That can only help a team that’s 2-7 coming off a bye week in the last nine seasons.

Russell Wilson Getting Some Help

The combination of Pete Carroll and primetime lights means something. The ‘Hawks are 28-5-1 in primetime under Carroll, including an impressive 18-2 at home. Much of that recent success has come with Wilson as pivot. He’s the first QB in NFL history to have a winning record in each of his first eight seasons – never dipping below nine wins in a season.

While he’s been an MVP-level candidate this year, masking many of his teams flaws, the last couple of games he’s needed a pick-me-up. After racking up a 118.2 rating for the first nine games, Wilson has sagged to an 82.0 rating in his last two games.

The defense showed up in a big way, and continues to improve. They’ve forced16 turnovers in the past six games, including eight in the past two against San Francisco and Philadelphia. The Seahawks now rank third in the league in total takeaways with 24, behind New England (29) and Pittsburgh (24). They’ll be trying to wreak havoc on a Minnesota team that has just 12 giveaways on the season, tied for seventh best in the league.

Also chipping in is Seattle’s run game, which got a career running effort from Rashaad Penny, who finished with 129 yards and a TD on 14 totes against the Eagles last week.

Chris Carson is also closing in on a 1,000-yard campaign, but his eight fumbles on the year are a concern, as is the fact that the Vikings’ defense is giving up just 94.2 yards a game on the ground this year.

What’s the Best Bet?

For as good as Cousins has been, Wilson is the true trump card in this matchup. Minnesota boasts a defense that ranks sixth against the run, so, despite Seattle’s willingness to pound the rock — they’re just one of six teams to attempt more than 30 rushes a game — perhaps they’ll leave it in the hands of their best player to make things happen.

Combo that with a comfortability playing in primetime and a chance to take first in the West, and Seattle finds a way against a very tough opponent.

The Pick: Seahawks -3 (+100)

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