Week 13 - Seattle! (home)

Seattle is a weird team to face, a new rivalry of sorts.  Partially because they seem to always take our misfit toys from us, kinda because of the the "poison pill," a little because they're a mirror image of our team, but mostly because we wished we were the them the last two times they crushed us.  There's a motivational video linked  if you wanna see the most recent game.  Lynch beasted for 3 TDs against a pathetic Vikings team led by the Kindergarten Teacher.

Thankfully we've got a few more pieces on defense and won't give up 30+ points again?

We're coming off a solid victory in Atlanta and an annoying win for the Pack in Detroit.  They're coming off an ugly road win in Pittsburgh.  We're at home, they're beat up, Vegas is calling it a "pick 'em."

My take on that Pack win, hat tip for great Hail Mary, but the refs need to get consistent with the calls / no calls before our Pack rematch! I am tired of A Rod getting the Kobe treatment and Teddy getting screwed. 

Gee I wonder who got the call and who didn't!

Here is what the Seattle beat writers think about the game.

Here's another take from Seattle writer Terence Q Johnson at SB.

On paper, in traditional terms, these teams match up well. Seattle boasts the 8th-highest scoring offense in the NFL in terms of points but has only the 8th best defense; Minnesota is just 24th best in offense but shows 2nd in defense. The Seahawks have a +45 point differential, the Vikes a +37.

Both teams have around 1600 yards on 330-ish rushing attempts; they both throw the ball about as often as they run; and they both average starting drives with the ball about 3 yards farther downfield than their opposition. In terms of efficiency, both teams manage a new set of downs or a touchdown 68% of the time, sitting at 12th and 13th in the league.*

By DVOA, though, Seattle projects as the better team, with a 4th-ranked offense going up against Minnesota's 14th-ranked defense.

In spite of their similarities, don't expect Sunday's game to be a mirror image on both sides of the ball, as the teams will spend the first quarter probing weaknesses in the opposition before, presumably, attempting to exploit them.

You guys know me, I don't like to do predictions.  I just make a list of what can happen... of my hopes if you will!  But before that, here is a Screenshot of the injury report.  I agree that this game is a scratch IF the Beast and Graham are playing, but without?  I am not so sure. I also find it odd how we can "shut down" the Megatron and Julio Jones types but always seem to get killed by guys who come out of nowhere. (See GB game) So that worries me,  given this Seattle team of people I've never heard of. (I don't play fantasy)

OK, here is my list of hopes.  If we get most 

of these we should win the game!

• Can AP not fumble on the turf at home? (all 6 at home)
• Will the Vikings get 120 yards rushing? #Undefeated
• Can we punish Rawls and not the other way around?
• Can we get in his head? force mistakes? Hit him hard?
• Can we keep their avg, undrafted, meh WRs in check?
• Who's getting Sherman? Can we parade all three of our speedsters at 1 and run 'em deep every snap? (lol)
• I anticipate 5 WRs dressed and of 'em all getting snaps!
• Can Walsh make all his kicks?
• Can Teddy keep his stat sheet clean of INTs?
• Which O Line shows up? The great one of the Awful one?
• Their best DE has 2 sacks on the road- can we keep it at 2?

I think if you combine the Viking fan's doubts with the Seattle fan's overconfidence you get a draw.  I honestly think we have more playmakers on offense than they do, and an equal amount on defense too.  I am not sure if Linval J is a scratch yet, but Harry the Hitman is playing, Barr too. Hendricks!  I'll take it!  Seattle will obviously be bringing their A game and a sense of urgency so I hope we do too.  We've lacked that at home all year.  Honestly I think if we can get a fast start we'll win "comfortably." 

SKOL


We need a little of this Sunday!