Sunday, October 11, 2020, CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington, 8:20 p.m. ET
Vikings at Seahawks Betting Preview: Vikings (+7/-115), Seahawks (-7/-105)
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings, coming off their first victory of the season, 31-23 against Houston, got in a full week of practice after a COVID-19 scare following a Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans, who have had more than 20 positive coronavirus test results.
Dalvin Cook, the league’s leading rusher with 424 yards, had 130 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans, with Adam Thielen (114 yards) and rookie Justin Jefferson (103) each reaching triple-digits in receiving yards. Thielen (shoulder) has been limited in practice this week, however.
Defensively, cornerback Mike Hughes returned to practice after missing two games with a neck injury, while fellow defensive backs Holton Hill (foot) and Kris Boyd (hamstring) were limited. All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks (foot), who leads the league with 45 tackles, has missed practice time. The Vikings will need a full complement on defense to slow down the Seahawks, who are third in the league in total offense.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are 4-0 for the second time in franchise history, the first being during their 2013 Super Bowl-winning season. It’s largely been behind the play of quarterback Russell Wilson, who has 16 TD passes through four games, matching the league record set by Peyton Manning in 2013.
They did show more balance in last weekend’s 31-23 victory at Miami as Chris Carson rushed for a season-high 80 yards and two touchdowns. Uncharacteristically, the Seahawks have the 32nd-ranked defense in the NFL.
The Seahawks have allowed a league-worst 1,604 passing yards (Atlanta is second at 1,366), but have as many interceptions as touchdown passes allowed (six each). They’ll be without safety Jamal Adams (groin) for the second straight week but cornerback Quinton Dunbar (knee) is expected to return.
Vikings at Seahawks Betting Pick for Week 5
The Seahawks won’t have their usual advantage of the “12th Man” at CenturyLink Field as no fans will be allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Both of Seattle’s home games have come down to the wire, stopping New England quarterback Cam Newton at the 1-yard line in a 35-30 victory on Sept. 20 and intercepting Dallas’ Dak Prescott in the end zone to clinch a 38-31 win the following week.
Vikings at Seahawks Betting Pick:
Seahawks 34, Vikings 27
Vikings at Seahawks Best Bet for Week 5
The Seahawks have the worst pass defense in the league and the Vikings have allowed the fourth-most passing yards. With both defensive backfields hobbled and the teams each having trouble getting to the opposing quarterback, this should turn into a shootout.
Vikings at Seahawks Best Bet: OVER 57.5 points
