Game Thread: Week 16: Vikings vs Seahawks:

[Anointed One]

Viking seem to be a bit better than GB imo, but I feel like we match up better against the Vikings than we did against GB... For one, our DL matches up against the Vikings OL much better... The Vikings interior OL has had a lot of the same issues the Hawks have had this season... Their OL has been penalized a lot this season as well due to their challenges up front...

We couldn't contain/stop Jacobs and the run game for the Packers last week, which made it one of the easier games of the year for Love... I feel like we have an opportunity to make Darnold's day a bit more uncomfortable tomorrow... If we can keep continuous pressure on Darnold throughout the day, I think we have a great chance at pulling this one out... 20-17 type of a game..

 

[fknhippie]

Viking seem to be a bit better than GB imo, but I feel like we match up better against the Vikings than we did against GB... For one, our DL matches up against the Vikings OL much better... The Vikings interior OL has had a lot of the same issues the Hawks have had this season... Their OL has been penalized a lot this season as well due to their challenges up front...

We couldn't contain/stop Jacobs and the run game for the Packers last week, which made it one of the easier games of the year for Love... I feel like we have an opportunity to make Darnold's day a bit more uncomfortable tomorrow... If we can keep continuous pressure on Darnold throughout the day, I think we have a great chance at pulling this one out... 20-17 type of a game..

Why would you do that?

 

[Nosferatu]

Now that the Vikings control their own destiny they are sure to fuck it up, it all starts tomorrow.

 

[Screamin12th]

What would be best for the NFL? Hmm that would be a Seahawks win and a Rams win as the Vikings all ready locked up a Playoff spot. Got to make as many games count as possible this in turn can lead to the final week of games loaded with "High Profile" match-ups. for as long as i have been watching football this is something the NFL preaches and why they have the flex schedule in place. Then again a Seahawks loss then the Rams losing to the Cards next week can put the Cards ALSO into the playoff chase.

I don't feel as bad about this game as i did GB but thats because Geno had a shit game last week so i expect some bounce back. Then a good one against the Bears before looking like utter trash week 18 against the Rams.

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

Have to pressure Darnold as much as possible. Jefferson/Addison are a good 1 2 punch and can make great plays. Also have to slow down Aaron Jones so it's a big game for the D-line and Geno needs to get his shit together.

 

[Screamin12th]

Last week when Geno got hurt he grabbed his ankle then it turned out to be a knee and upper leg issue .. so weird.

 

[blstoker]

Key Players
Sataoa Laumea - The one thing that has been accomplished since the injury to Bradford and replacing him with Laumea is to prove that things could have been worse than having Bradford in there. Laumea has been one of the worst guards in the NFL since starting the last three games, PFF having him rated at 33.6 (19.5 in the pass). I don't know what Christian Haynes has done to get into the doghouse, but it can't be entirely performance-based because Laumea is getting a significantly longer lease than Haynes did. I'm not one to claim a 6th round pick's career is over this early in their career, but it's pretty clear Laumea doesn't look entirely ready to be in the position he is in. The offense will need Laumea to play significantly better if they want to be effective.

Geno Smith - We've all heard the debates about Geno over the last 3 years, and evidence is starting to stack against him as this season goes on. While he hasn't been the worst QB in the league, at 34 and a consistent decline in production coupled with really bad play in the red zone, Geno is needing a strong finish this season to silence his critics. The schedule favors him if he steps up - not because it will be easy, but because he's got 2 potential playoff teams left and strong performances leading to wins would help him out a lot. Geno has had good games this season, but he's not any great ones, and great is what the Seahawks will need. With this receiving corps and these running backs, Geno should be getting better results.

Leonard Williams - I wanted to put so many of the defense on here but needed to narrow it down to one. Seattle is going to have to make the Vikings one dimensional and put pressure on Darnold. Darnold has taken sacks this season, 42 which is just one behind Geno. The linebackers get a lot of the credit to the increase to the defense's performance, but Williams' surge in all pro level of play during the same time was also a huge factor. A big game from Williams could be a difference maker in the game.

Matchups
Josh Jobe vs Justin Jefferson - Jobe started off the season really hot. His first three games looked like the Seahawks had found a diamond in the rough at CB and all would be well. Since then, teams have been actively targeting him and he's been unable to provide consistent coverage and look for more of the same this week. Minnesota will try to ensure that Jobe is on Jefferson as much as possible, and the mismatch is clear. Jefferson is a top 10 WR in the NFL and Jobe is barely inside the top 100 CBs (according to PFF) in coverage. Darnold already goes to Jefferson 1/3 of his passes, so there will be plenty of chances for this matchup throughout the game. Seattle will have to give Jobe some help or find a way to ensure Woolen follows Jefferson or this will be one ugly week.

Seahawk OL v Viking front 7 - The Vikings may be the best front 7 that Seattle will face and with how the Hawks Oline has been, that could be a scary proposition for the offense. One main consolation may be that the Vikings, while solid, don't have a dominating interior DL, but dominating isn't necessary to disrupt Seattle's interior who have been know to completely miss blocks with unfortunate regularity. This may be a bigger mismatch than the Jobe/Jefferson one listed earlier. It will take a Herculean effort and sound discipline and execution for the guard/center combo to make Seattle competitive, but it will be necessary if the team wants to win this game.

Turnovers - While it isn't anything crazy to say that a team that wins the turnover margin has a significant advantage to win a game, there is a perfect storm for this game to get ugly in this regard. Minnesota is #2 in forcing turnovers and the Seahawks offense is ranked outside the top 20 in protecting the ball. Minnesota's defense has created at least 1 turnover every game this season and are undefeated in games where they get 2 or more. Seattle, unfortunately, have turned the ball over at least twice in more than half their games this season. The bottom line is, Seattle cannot turn the ball over against teams like Minnesota.

Overview
If football was a simulation, Minnesota should run roughshod over Seattle. Green Bay, Buffalo and Detroit all did just that, and I just don't have confidence that this team can change that this week. Seattle will have to play above what the offense has shown it can do; the defense will have to step up against a good offense and Seattle will need to win the turnover battle - decisively. Seattle 17, Minnesota 35.

 

[MrS]

if there is one thing this team has proven, its the inability to be competitive with good teams. im expecting a curb stomping.

 

[Anointed One]

if there is one thing this team has proven, its the inability to be competitive with good teams. im expecting a curb stomping.

 

[Screamin12th]

Walker coming back against the best rushing defense we have faced all season. If K9 does anything today I would be shocked. He is more than capable of going off but it's going to be VERY hard to do so today.

rainy day so the ball will be slick, Sam has slightly larger hands than Geno so he could have a better grip than Geno in this weather. Strong Defense, something the Seahawks want to be and something this offense hasn't had success against.

 

[Judge Fudge]

This is a must win

 

[Screamin12th]

This is a must win

A need win not a must. Hawks could lose here and still win the division but need help from the Cardinals.

 

[Anointed One]

Great job, defense... Forcing 4th and 4...

 

[Judge Fudge]

We are getting 7th seed help with Daniels throwing a pick.

Eagles up by 2. 2:07 Stopped

 

[Anointed One]

Good lord... Converting on 4th and 4... Wide open...

 

[Judge Fudge]

FG Philly

 

[flyerhawk]

Way too easy

 

[Anointed One]

Almost a perfect drive for the Vikings... 1 incompletion...

 

[Anointed One]

Walker left some yards out there on that 2nd and 4... Take what's there...

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Third and 2 and Geno gets a delay of game.