Seahawks versus Vikings: 3 quick reasons for hope
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks could move to 5-0 for the first time in franchise history against the Vikings in week five.
The Seahawks are tied for their best start in franchise history. This year’s team and the 2013 version both started 4-0. Of course, the 2013 team went on to win the Super Bowl. Wouldn’t it be great if this team did the same?
On Sunday – week five of the 2020 season – Seattle plays the 1-3 Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota is better than their record, though. But why should 12s have high hopes of beating the Vikings? Here are three quick reasons.
The Seahawks have Russell Wilson, of course
Russell Wilson has been great his entire career, obviously, though this season he is so far at his best ever. Even if Wilson weren’t off to such a great start he would be the reason the Seahawks would have a puncher’s chance against any team. But Wilson has tons of offensive weapons this year and the offense should be expected to score against anyone.
Wilson is also 6-0 against the Vikings. His performances haven’t always been pretty against Minnesota (in 2018 Wilson had a quarterback rating of 37.9 against Minnesota) but they all have been wins and he will defeat the Vikings again in week five.
The Vikings don’t do much when receiving punts
Minnesota has the fewest punt return yards in the NFL in 2020. They have returned one punt for 6 yards. Seattle has an excellent punter in Michael Dickson. Dickson is fourth in the NFL in yards-per-punt at 50.9 and is fourth in net-yards-per-punt at 45.5. And he is tied for league-lead in punts downed inside the opponent 20 with 10.
The Seahawks defense needs all the help it can get, of course. And Dickson’s ability to pin a team back combined with the Vikings inability to do much when they do return a punt should push the Vikings back if Seattle has to punt.
The Vikings don’t stop the run or pass very well
Thankfully, the Seahawks are not a team that does only one thing well offensively. Chris Carson is a really good running back and can catch too. His versatility is one thing that the Vikings will need to gameplan for. But the Vikings are 225th in quarterback rating allowed and 24th in yards allowed rushing.
dark. Next. 3 bold predictions for Seahawks versus Vikings
This means, as long as the Seattle offense remains aggressive, they should be able to keep a not-good Vikings defense off-balance. Plus, Minnesota could have linebacker Eric Kendricks available Sunday but he relies a lot on speed and is dealing with a foot injury. Seattle should score 30-plus points again in week 5.