Buds Alley Odds

Struggling Vikings Look to Exploit Injury-Riddled Seahawks in Seattle

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The Minnesota Vikings (4-7) travel to the notoriously loud Lumen Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks in a Week 13 matchup. On the surface, this looks like a mismatch. Oddsmakers have installed the Seahawks as massive 11.5-point favorites. However, a closer look at the final injury report reveals a potential trap for Seattle bettors and a golden opportunity for the underdog Vikings.

This game, kicking off at 4:05 PM EST, will test whether Seattle’s “12th Man” advantage is enough to overcome significant losses to their starting lineup.

Can the Vikings Capitalize?

The 4-7 Vikings have had a difficult season and enter this contest as major underdogs. While their official injury report for Week 13 wasn’t detailed in the results, the team has navigated various ailments throughout the year. For Minnesota to have a chance, they’ll need to play a clean, disciplined game and take advantage of a Seattle team that will be without key personnel. The path to an upset, or at least covering the spread, is clear: pressure a backup quarterback and control the clock.

Seahawks Face Major Injury Questions

The Seahawks are heavily favored, but the team’s health is a massive concern. Despite the confident betting line, Seattle will be significantly shorthanded. According to the final injury report for Week 13 posted on the Vikings’ official website, the Seahawks will be without two key players: quarterback McCarthy and a player named Jackson.

The absence of a starting quarterback is a game-changer and makes the 11.5-point spread incredibly questionable. The Seahawks’ injury woes don’t stop there. A separate report from a day before the game confirmed that Holani is also out, while Okada is listed as questionable. With multiple starters sidelined, the Seahawks’ depth will be severely tested.

Injury Report

  • Minnesota Vikings: The final injury report for this specific game is not detailed in the provided search results. For the latest updates, check the official team site.
  • Seattle Seahawks:
    • QB McCarthy (Unnamed) – OUT
    • Jackson (Position Unspecified) – OUT
    • Holani (Position Unspecified) – OUT
    • Okada (Position Unspecified) – QUESTIONABLE

Prediction

It is rare to see a team favored by double-digits when they are confirmed to be starting a backup quarterback. The Seahawks’ home-field advantage at Lumen Field is significant, but it’s not worth 11.5 points on its own. The Vikings, while struggling, are an NFL team capable of keeping a game competitive against a depleted opponent.

Seattle may still find a way to grind out a victory, but asking a backup QB to lead the offense to a win by 12 or more points is a tall order. The Vikings should be able to do enough on both sides of the ball to keep this game within the spread. Furthermore, with a backup quarterback leading Seattle, expect a more conservative, run-heavy game plan, which lends itself to a lower-scoring affair.

The Pick: Vikings +11.5Over/Under: Under 41.5

Final Score Prediction: Seahawks 20, Vikings 13

Game Information

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