The Vikings are generally 5- to 6-point underdogs against the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday’s Wild Card game.
But what do the experts think? Here’s a look at how many local and national writers are picking Minnesota to score the upset.
The local guys
The Star Tribune’s Mark Craig likes the Seahawks – though not by much.
The Pioneer Press has prognostications from five people, including Fran Tarkenton, who likes the Vikings by a field goal. He even wrote a column about why.
Three of the other Pioneer Press writers like Seattle.
Pro Football Focus
Of their 10 expert pickers, only one – Gordon McGuinness – is picking the Vikings to win.
The plus side? McGuinness was PFF’s best prognosticator this season, correctly calling 64.8 percent of games.
ESPN
ESPN relied on its NFL Nation reporters to do its predictions. Ben Goessling (who covers the Vikings) and Sheil Kapadia (the Seattle writer) both have the Seahawks by a touchdown and a field goal.
Betting expert/”Jimmy Kimmel Live” troublemaker Cousin Sal also has Seattle.
Sports Illustrated
You won’t find much love for the Purple here. Eric Single is the lone person who thinks the Vikings will beat Seattle.
Don Banks broke his out into a separate post – and has Seattle winning 26-16.
Monday Morning Quarterback
A sister site of SI, writer Andy Benoit lists his predictions by breaking down the offense and defenses. He favors Seattle, though says it’ll come down to how effective Adrian Peterson can be.
Writer Robert Mays however made the case for the Vikings, arguing Minnesota’s defense – with Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr and Linval Joseph, who all missed the Seattle blowout a few weeks ago – could disrupt Seattle’s struggling O-line. Combined with the cold, that could open the door for Minnesota.
