5 predictions for Seahawks vs. Vikings: Making life miserable for Max Brosmer

We are hours away from the Seattle Seahawks hosting the Minnesota Vikings to wrap up November. It’s a throwback uniform day and Seattle is looking to clinch a winning season and move a step closer toward returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Minnesota is just about playing for pride and respectability at this point, but that doesn’t mean the Seahawks should take them lightly.

This is game day morning, so you know what that means! It’s time for some game predictions! Before we get into this Vikings matchup, let’s revisit how last week’s Tennessee Titans predictions went!

Bold prediction: No turnovers for either team!

Ding, ding, ding!

Seahawks offense prediction: Rashid Shaheed gets his first touchdown

Not close.

Seahawks defense prediction: A sack party

I predicted seven sacks, which would’ve been a season high allowed by the Titans, but Cam Ward saw to it that he only got dropped four times.

Titans prediction: Jeffery Simmons gets a sack

He got a pressure that led to the only sack, but that’s it.

Game prediction: Seahawks win comfortably

Well I won’t say it was comfortable, but they were never really in jeopardy of losing the game. I’ll consider it sort of a win at 30-24, as onside kicks are just so hard to recover.

Bold prediction: A Seahawks big fella interception

After not getting any turnovers off of Cam Ward last week, I’d be pretty disappointed if the Seahawks defense failed to generate any turnovers versus Max Brosmer at home. It was roughly around this time last year that Devon Witherspoon tipped a Brock Purdy pass in the air and into the arms of big Johnathan Hankins for an interception. A few weeks later, Leonard Williams recorded the longest pick-six for a 300+ pound man in NFL history. There are few things more joyful in sports than seeing a big man with a football in his hand. I believe we’ll see someone on Seattle’s defensive front pick off a Brosmer pass, maybe even on a screen.

I gotta admit, it would probably be less bold if J.J. McCarthy was starting.

Seahawks offense prediction: Kenneth Walker III rushes for over 100 yards

One of the disappointing developments for Minnesota has been its defense dropping from 2nd in last year’s FTN’s DVOA rankings to 18th this year. Injuries to the likes of Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel have been major, as has the free agency loss of Cameron Bynum, but the game’s the game. Minnesota’s run defense is a middling 14th and they’ve given up 100-yard rushing performances to Bijan Robinson, Quinshon Judkins, Kimani Vidal, and Emanuel Wilson. This is a very exploitable defensive line and the Seahawks have seemingly found a little more rhythm to their rushing attack, even if the numbers aren’t gaudy.

Expect a lot of Kenneth Walker III touches, a few explosive runs, and his first 100-yard rushing day since the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.

Seahawks defense prediction: Winning the turnover battle

This is partially a Seahawks offense prediction, as the onus is on them (and, I guess, special teams) to not screw up like they usually do at home and commit multiple turnovers. The last time the Seahawks won the turnover battle at Lumen Field was in Mike Macdonald’s first game in charge, when Seattle gave it away twice but recorded three takeaways to come out +1 on the afternoon.

Minnesota has overtaken the Seahawks and leads the NFL in giveaways. The Vikings have only forced nine takeaways all season, five of which came against the Jake Browning-led Cincinnati Bengals, so there’s every reason to believe Seattle can be less sloppy than the Vikes.

Vikings prediction: Someone with a ‘J’ first name will score a touchdown

This is a stat that will only amuse me. The Vikings have scored 23 touchdowns on the year, 15 of which have come from players whose first name starts with the letter “J.” No, it’s not just Justin Jefferson (who only has two TDs!), it’s J.J. McCarthy, Jordan Mason, Jalen Nailor, Josh Oliver, and Jordan Addison. Minnesota has the No. 10 rush offense by DVOA, so the Seahawks have to be wary of Jordan Mason, and while I think Seattle’s run defense really is superb, they might give up a score to the former 49ers running back.

Just don’t give up defensive scores to Josh Metellus, Jalen Redmond, Jonathan Greenard, or Javon Hargrave. That’d be annoying.

Game prediction: Seahawks win by a healthy margin

I expect a blowout win. The Seahawks are at home (and playing better at home, might I add!) against a team that is in terrible form and forced to play a third-string rookie quarterback. Yes, I know the Seahawks have been prone to duds before against this caliber of QB, but this can’t keep continuing forever. Minnesota is respectable enough to likely not get blown out from the kickoff, but I can see the Seahawks snowballing a close start into a lopsided finish.

Sam Darnold will throw a couple of touchdowns against his former team, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will get his usual 100 yards, Kenneth Walker III will clear 100 rushing yards as noted earlier, and the Seahawks defense will smother Brosmer as he’s forced to pass more often due to time and score.

Let’s go for 34-17 final score to keep the good times rolling.

I’ve done my part. Share your predictions in the comments below!