Both the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks enter 2023 with high hopes after exceeding expectations in 2022. The Vikings have moved on from Dalvin Cook, but they still boast one of the better offensive attacks in the league behind Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson.
The Seahawks added another weapon for Geno Smith in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and arguably have the best trio of receivers in the NFL. Both teams have seen some overhaul on the defensive side of the ball, so that’s the big question mark for each team as we kick off the 2023 preseason.
Vikings vs Seahawks Odds
NFL odds used for this Minnesota vs Seattle preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of Tuesday, August 8 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Seahawks (-192) • Vikings (+160)
- Spread: Seahawks -4.5 (-110) • Vikings +4.5 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 35 (-110) • Under 35 (-110)
- Implied Score: Seahawks 19.5, Vikings 14.5
Vikings vs Seahawks Predictions
Score Pick: Minnesota Vikings 23, Seattle Seahawks 17
It’s unclear how much we’ll actually see any of the starters for this first preseason game, and we already know the Seahawks will be without their top running back in Kenneth Walker (groin) and will likely hold out rookie Zach Charbonnet (shoulder) – though he did return to practice on Monday so there’s a chance he could play against the Vikings.
While it’s always tough figuring out what NFL coaches will do in the preseason, we should assume we’ll probably see a series or two from the starters before turning things over to the backups (and beyond).
For the Vikings, that probably means we’re going to see a lot of Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall at quarterback while players like Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler, DeWayne McBride get the rock at running back and players like Jalen Nailor, Jordan Addison, Jalen Reagor and Brandon Powell see increased looks at receiver.
For the Seahawks, we probably won’t see much of Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett, or D.K. Metcalf, but we’ll likely see a lot of Drew Lock, DeeJay Dallas, Cade Johnson, Dareke Young, and Cody Thompson on offense.
The Seahawks might be at home, but there’s a lot more uncertainty around their offensive backups and injury situations. The Vikings bring a little more of a known commodity coming into this one so they get the slight edge.
Vikings vs Seahawks Best Bets & Props
NFL Bet of the Day: Vikings Moneyline (+160)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
I sort of gave this away above, but I think there’s too much uncertainty surrounding the Seahawks to feel good about them simply winning because they’re at home. Unless you’re a big Lock fan (not seeing any hands raised out there), I don’t see how we can feel comfortable about an offense that will likely feature a lot of Dallas and relatively unknown receivers.
While we probably won’t get many (any?) Justin Jefferson fireworks, the Vikings still have some decent backup options on offense – including former first-round pick Reagor and current first-round pick Addison.
Anything can happen in the preseason, but there are too many questions for the Seahawks for me to feel good about picking them in this one.
Over 35 (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 units
The age-old adage for the preseason is that the defense is usually ahead of the offense. I’m not arguing against that because age-old adages usually become age-old adages for a good reason (they’re usually true), but I don’t think that applies to this game.
The Seahawks have some new faces on defense (including rookie Devon Witherspoon and returning old friend Bobby Wagner) alongside some injuries (Tariq Woolen) to manage, while the Vikings are trying to fix the problems on defense that led to them allowing the fifth-most points to opposing offenses last year.
If this total was three or four points higher, I’d be happy betting the under. But we’re low enough here that one team going over twenty points will put us into the promised land.
Vikings Total Team Points Over 14.5 (-120)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 units
Again, defenses are usually ahead of offenses at this point, but we’re not talking about the 2002 Ravens or the 1985 Bears when it comes to either of these defensive units. And scoring 15 points is something most NFL offenses can accomplish by rolling out of bed in the morning at this point.
While the Vikings have a lot of work to do on defense as compared to last year, their offense scored 24.9 points a game last year. Even if we only see a series or two from Cousins, Mullens is a more-than-viable backup who should be able to do some damage with the likes of Reagor, Addison, and Nailor at receiver.
15 points isn’t a lot to ask for, and I like the matchup of the Vikings’ somewhat-proven backups against a Seahawks defense with a lot to prove after giving up 23.6 points per game last year (“good” for 25th in the league).
Vikings To Win By 1–6 (+425)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 units
Doubling down on my Vikings moneyline pick, there’s a ton of value here at +425 if you’re still on board with all of my reasoning above.
As I’ve said a few times, pretty much anything can (and will) happen in the preseason. We’ll see touchdowns from guys we’ve never heard of. We’ll see lots of mistakes. We’ll see a lot of ugly play.
All we can go off is what we know, and I keep coming back to the Seahawks’ injuries combined with the Vikings’ backups being more proven NFL players. If we can nail the moneyline pick above, this wager helps take that bet to another level.
Vikings vs Seahawks Same Game Parlay
No Same Game Parlays are available for this game, but this section will be updated if they become available.
