Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings preview: Adrian Peterson, and not much else come to Seattle

After two weeks of the “these wins feel like losses” narrative, the Seahawks finally put a dominant performance on the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are a bad team this year, mainly because their running game is terrible now, and their best receiver, Julio Jones, is out for the season, while Roddy White has been hampered by nagging injuries.

The Minnesota Vikings come to town in a similar circumstance. They’re 2-7, and they’ve started Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel, and Josh Freeman at quarterback so far this year. Apart from Adrian Peterson, the Seahawks have some of the Vikings’ formerly good players in the form of Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice (who duh, is on IR), and Tarvaris Jackson (who duh, isn’t good). The team reportedly tried to trade for Jared Allen at the trade deadline, and they have Darrell Bevell as their offensive coordinator (who… whatever).

If you watched the Vikings last year, they’re pretty much the same. A lot of short passes and a lot of Adrian Peterson. Christian Ponder’s abilities and completion percentage have been inflated by the simplified, largely-ineffective scheme he plays in, and Adrian Peterson only matters if the team is winning.

A lot of times people say that the key to a team’s victory is for them to jump out to an early lead, like that’s some innate ability, or unique strategy. Scoring points early and not giving up points early is a recipe for success, and a key ingredient to a victory. Now you know.

It’s true though, the Vikings are largely one-dimensional, and have one of the worst defenses in football to pair with it. Adrian Peterson has scored nine times on the ground, with Christian Ponder contributing four rushing touchdowns of his own.

The Seahawks big news this week is the return of Percy Harvin, but perhaps the Seahawks greatest contribution to a victory over the Vikings, if they even need additional help, would be the return of Russell Okung and Breno Giacomini, both of whom have been out for several weeks. Russell Wilson has played amazingly considering the circumstances, but still, the circumstances. They can be better. They will be better, we think.

Injuries

Seattle

Red Bryant, DE/DT (Concussion) – Full practice since Thursday, Bryant is probable for Sunday.

Breno Giacomini, OT (Knee) – Full practice all week, Giacomini is probable for Sunday.

Max Unger, C (Concussion) – Full practice since Thursday, Unger is probable for Sunday.

Percy Harvin, WR (Hip) – Full practice since Thursday, Harvin is probable for Sunday.

Brandon Browner, CB (Groin) – Out, and probably for a while.

Minnesota

Adrian Peterson, RB (Groin) – Didn’t practice this week, but is probable.

Christian Ponder, QB (Left Shoulder) – Limited in practice, but probable.

Greg Jennings, WR (Achilles) – Limited in practice, but probable.

Kyle Rudolph, TE (Foot) – Former Pro Bowl MVP, out.

(All stats from Football Outsiders)

Quarterback	Russell Wilson	Christian Ponder
DVOA	10.0%	-8.7%
DYAR	388	32
QBR	59.5	58.7
RushDVOA	27.0%	5.9%
Running backs	Marshawn Lynch	Adrian Peterson
DVOA	12.0%	13.0%
DYAR	163	46
	Robert Turbin	Toby Gerhart
DVOA	-11.4%	15.3%
DYAR	0	19
Wide Receivers	Doug Baldwin	Greg Jennings
DVOA	26.9%	-3.7%
DYAR	157	43
	Golden Tate	Jerome Simpson
DVOA	14.5%	-5.7%
DYAR	133	34
Tight End	Zach Miller	John Carlson
DVOA	8.2%	-28.8%
DYAR	29	-37
Team Defense	Seattle	Minnesota
DVOA	-15.7%	8.7%

There isn’t much to say. The Seahawks are in the easiest part of their schedule, and the Seahawks keep winning games. They’ll have next week off, and then they have what is probably the biggest game of the season when the Saints come to town. That game will probably decide homefield advantage through the playoffs. This is me looking forward to the next opponent, and it doesn’t matter because I don’t play for the Seahawks, dude that gets mad when fans look past this week’s opponent.

Predictions

Percy Harvin will open up things in the passing game without putting up stats.

Luke Willson scores a touchdown.

Christine Michael will get at least one carry before the fourth quarter.

Steven Hauschka will not miss a field goal.

John Ryan won’t give up very many punt return yards.

Adrian Peterson will be held under 60 yards, and under 15 carries.

Josh Freeman gets some snaps under center.