Seahawks favored over Vikings ahead of week 13 matchup
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 2 weeks AGO
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
AP PHOTO/GEORGE WALKER IV
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) catches a touchdown pass ahead of Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker (37) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike (17) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams celebrates after a win over the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
MOSES LAKE — The Seattle Seahawks (8-3) are set for a showdown at Lumen Field against the Minnesota Vikings (4-7) on Sunday at 1 p.m. According to ESPN, the Seahawks have a 69% chance to win.
Head Coach Mike MacDonald is confident his players can bring the right level of physicality to the gridiron.
“Our guys are powerful in their own right,” MacDonald said in a Tuesday press conference. “You got to restrict space in the box and offensively you have to be able to sustain blocks and use proper angles and have the resolve to keep moving forward. It’s not easy to do that on a down in, down out basis, but I think that’s what separates great teams in our league.”
Seattle is coming off their eighth win of the season after traveling to Nashville to beat the Titans 30-24. Darnold threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns to lead them to victory.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished the game with eight catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns. His performance added to his season total of 1,313 yards, which leads the NFL. His performance also set a new record for most receiving yards through 11 games, which tops DK Metcalf's record from 2020, who logged 1,303 yards.
“It means a lot,” Smith-Njigba said. “Honestly, I look at it as a team award because without Sam (Darnold), without the protection, Rashid (Shaheed) and Coop (Kupp), this doesn’t happen ... I'm blessed to be a Seahawk.”
Despite the win, cornerback Devon Witherspoon had some critiques from last week's game. From his perspective, the defense did not play to its standard, he said in Tuesday’s press conference.
“We gave up too many points to be honest,” he said.
Witherspoon said they will go back to the drawing board as they prepare for the Vikings. He is optimistic that they will be able to continue correcting the small details on defense to help the team overall succeed on Sundays.
“No matter what the outcome may be, just stay the course of the mission. Don’t default to anything else, just stay the course of the mission,” Witherspoon said.
Currently, the Seahawks are in second place in the NFC West division and fifth in the conference. A win over the Vikings would help their case as they start making a playoff push over the next month.
Seattle is likely to miss some players this Sunday, too. Chazz Surratt, Ty Okada and George Holani are listed as doubtful to play. Tyrice Knight and Ernest Jones IV are listed as questionable, as the team will continue to evaluate their playing ability the rest of the week.
For the Vikings, several key players are listed as questionable. J.J. McCarthy, Jonathan Greenard, Christian Darrisaw and Donovan Jackson are questionable to play on Sunday. With McCarthy in concussion protocol and backup quarterback Carson Wentz on the injury reserve, who will be leading the Vikings on Sunday remains uncertain.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) catches a touchdown pass ahead of Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker (37) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike (17) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams celebrates after a win over the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD
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