3 Matchups to watch in Vikings vs Seahawks in Week 13

The Minnesota Vikings are massive underdogs heading into Sunday's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Minnesota is on a three-game losing streak, sitting at 4-7. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are 8-3, led by former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.

That doesn't mean the Vikings can't take advantage of individual matchups. But the 2025 season has been full of inconsistency from Minnesota, which can't seem to string together more than a couple of good performances from some players without others coming up short.

Max Brosmer will be making his first career start in place of J.J. McCarthy, who will miss the game with a concussion. Minnesota won't ask Brosmer to be the second coming of Fran Tarkenton, but they do need him to get the ball to the Vikings' playmakers, which has been an issue this season.

Here are three matchups to watch in Sunday's game.

Justin Jefferson vs Devon Witherspoon

Justin Jefferson hasn't had a 100-yard performance since Week 5. He also only has two touchdowns on the season. So, can we realistically expect him to bounce back with a big game against a Seattle defense that ranks 6th in total yards allowed?

He will likely line up across from Devon Witherspoon a lot in this one. Witherspoon is PFF's second-highest ranked cornerback, posting an 83.4 grade. He's at his best when aligning out wide, though. According to Next Gen Stats, Witherspoon is allowing only 0.5 yards per coverage snap when lined up outside, the best mark among 111 defenders with at least 100 coverage snaps.

Isaiah Rodgers vs Jaxon Smith-Njigba

However, Jefferson isn't even the most prolific receiver in this game. Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 1,313 receiving yards, which puts him on pace to become the first player in league history to eclipse 2,000 receiving yards in a season.

Rodgers has had a solid first season with the Vikings. His 67.0 PFF grade ranks 37th among all cornerbacks. Quarterbacks have a 91.3 passer rating throwing his way, though, meaning it's unlikely Sam Darnold avoids throwing his way.

The Vikings' offensive line vs the Seahawks' defensive line

The Vikings' offensive line will have to play one of its best games of the season, but they could be missing two starters. Donovan Jackson is officially out, and Christian Darrisaw is "questionable" for the game.

Unfortunately, the line faces a Seattle front featuring Leonard Williams (ranked 10th among all defensive tackles), Byron Murphy II (ranked 17th), and DeMarcus Lawrence (ranked 48th). That gives the Vikings even less margin for error, especially with Brosmer set to make his first start.

The Vikings were without three starters on the line when they played the Browns in London back in Week 5. To counter Cleveland's terrorizing defensive line, the Vikings went to a quick-passing game, helping Minnesota to a 21-17 victory. They could look for a similar approach this week with Brosmer starting.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 3 Matchups to watch in Vikings vs Seahawks in Week 13