Pillage the West

A huge game for the NFC playoff picture this week, as Seattle and Minnesota finally get a chance to duke it out this season. Two very good NFC teams, one being better than the other, face off with a lot on their minds. For the Vikings, they just took down the Bears in their Thursday night game and now will look to see if they can apply pressure on the Eagles and Lions, who are all tied for first in the NCF playoff picture. A win here only puts more pressure on those two teams and keeps your team moving in the right direction before the playoffs. I like this matchup because it’s a very playoff-esque game. A more difficult matchup than last week, but this is another good test for the Vikings. They need to keep playing good teams and stay sharp, they don’t have a great history of succeeding in the playoffs, and this may be one of the best teams they have had in a long time. I don’t want to see them get to this position, only to be blown away by another competitive team in the playoffs because they weren’t ready. Take every hard opponent you can get and show them why you’re tied for first in the NFC.

The Seahawks are no pushovers, and after last week’s loss to the Packers at home, they must win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive. They don’t have a great home record, as they are 3-5 at home, but can’t shudder at the thought of a better team. The Packers are a great team, and Seattle had trouble with them last week, so how will they fair against a better Vikings team? There is optimism that Kenneth Walker will return this week, after sitting out the last two weeks due to a calf injury. This is not confirmed but having him back would be a huge help. I love the looks Jaxon Smith-Njigba is getting, but now that he’s the favorite, he will open up opportunities for other guys. D.K Metcalf has been relatively quiet the last few weeks, so I’d like to see him have a little more production this week. I know he likes blocking, but he can also catch the ball. The Seahawks, whose defense was playing so well up until last week, will need their defense to step up once again, as they can’t let one of the better offenses in the league get up on you, especially with your troubled history at home this year. I don’t think Seattle will be able to keep up with this team, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the game they make a statement and turn it around from last week. This game truly could go either way, but I like the Vikings here.