Wildcard Weekend Predictions: Vikings vs Seahawks

[mondry]

It's an advantage simply because we're the under dogs. Even if it effects both teams negatively that's a boost for us because it narrows the gap between the two teams.

[PacificNorseWest]

It would be so nice to start the first drive off with 7. 3 is better than nothing, but the Vikings offense still hasn't shown that they have a killer instinct in the redzone. I doubt any switch gets flipped all of a sudden, but it will be extremely frustrating if they move the ball on Seattle and keep having to settle for FG attempts. They will lose.

[720pete]

My guess is that Bridgewater and the Vikings passing games has a firm grasp on what type of passing attack is feasible in Arctic weather whereas Seattle might have more trouble knowing how to set up their offensive game plan when it's so cold out.

It's not so much about the players being cold as it is about knowing the limitations that cold weather place on a game plan.

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[Raptorman]

With the high temps only supposed to be about 2 degrees, players that handle the ball and don't normally wear gloves may not be used to handling the ball with gloves in the cold. Plus, running when that cold can take a toll on your lungs. Being so cold and low humidity, dehydration could be an issue.

[Purple bruise]

Vikes with the upset. The Vikes did not have Joseph and lost Barr and Harry in the first quarter when they lost to Seattle this year. Their presence will make a huge difference in the out come.
http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/L ... 50e5fe20d8

[Mothman]

Playoffs cast new focus for Vikings, Teddy Bridgewater

The playoffs have arrived.

"You can tell that the guys' focus is totally different," Bridgewater said. "Coach (Mike) Zimmer said something this morning in the team meeting, 'Now you're playing for trophies and rings, not just banners.' Hearing that, it lets you know that it's go time."

Bridgewater will face two challenges Sunday: the weather and the NFL's best defense. With the temperature forecast to be near zero, Bridgewater said he has to be "smart with the football."

Facing Seattle's defense, which led the NFL in fewest points allowed for a fourth straight season, could be a much tougher task. The Seahawks shut down Bridgewater in a 38-7 win Dec. 6 at TCF Bank Stadium, allowing him to complete just 17 of 28 passes, with one interception and a passer rating of 55.4.

The Seahawks sacked him four times. After the game, linebacker Bruce Irvin told NFL.com that Bridgewater was "so scared."

Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that game was an aberration because the Seahawks took a big lead and Bridgewater "got knocked out of his style of play." Regardless, Bridgewater knows he must be better.

"The thing about that defense, they want you to be impatient and that's something I noticed the first time we played them," Bridgewater said. "There's nothing wrong with taking those easy completions and then the big play will come. ... You just have to take what they're giving you."

[Mothman]

It's going to be cold for both teams. I see no advantage for either one of them.

That said, I think Wilson rises above Bridgewater and I don't care what weather or stadium we're talking about. Wilson has been playing like he's possessed. I'm not a Seattle fan but I have to admit Wilson is an elite QB this year.

He's been on fire in the second half of the season, playing elite football.

[PacificNorseWest]

Seattle has shown vulnerable to the deep pass. They clobber anything short. The Vikings will need to consistenly be in 3rd and short situations if they want to dink and dunk this defense or else it will be another long day.

[Grashopa]

Lets not forget that the visitor sideline will most likely be shaded most of the day while if there is any sun it will be shining on the Vikings. that's gotta count for a few extra degrees...

[DK Sweets]

Career record in games below 24 degrees:

Bridgewater: 4-0
Wilson: 0-1

[losperros]

Here are some other stats about the Vikings:

...The Vikings are 0-4 when allowing more than 20 points and 10-0 when allowing less than 20 points.
... The Vikings have the NFL's best point differential (+60) over the final three weeks of the regular season.
... As a defensive coordinator, coach Mike Zimmer's teams were 0-6 in the postseason.
... Bridgewater boasts a 108.5 passer rating over the past four games after posting a 83.0 rating in the first 12.
... Since being drafted five picks apart nine years ago, Peterson (97) and Lynch (74) have two highest rushing touchdown totals in the league. ... The last player to win the NFL's rushing title and a Super Bowl ring in the same season was Terrell Davis back in 1998-99.
... Stefon Diggs is the first rookie to lead the Vikings in receiving yards (720) since Randy Moss' brilliant 1998 season.
... Cordarrelle Patterson led the NFL in kickoff return average for the second time in three years.
... Blair Walsh led the NFL in field goals (34) this season.

Stats about the Seahawks:

...Russell Wilson is the first player in NFL history to record 4,000+ passing yards, 30+ touchdown passes and 500+ rushing yards in a single season.
... Wilson is 3-0 against the Vikings in his career, with 8:0 TD-to-INT ratio and a 142.0 passer rating.
... Wilson took 109 QB hits this season, the most of any quarterback.
... Only four running backs in NFL history have averaged more rushing yards per playoff game than Marshawn Lynch's 91.7.
... Wilson's passer rating is 33.7 points higher without Lynch in the lineup this season. It's 22.1 points higher without Jimmy Graham in the lineup.
... Doug Baldwin has 11 touchdowns in his last six games after managing just 11 touchdowns in his previous 43 games combined.
... Baldwin was responsible for the NFL's top passer rating when targeted this season (139.9). Teammate Tyler Lockett has the second-highest rating among players with 50+ targets.
... Since 1995, no player has allowed a lower passer rating in the playoffs than Richard Sherman's 16.9.
... This game will be played at 10:05 AM on the West Coast. Under Pete Carroll, the Seahawks are just 11-14 in games played at that time.
... Seattle is the only team to rank in the top five in total offense (4th), scoring offense (4th), total defense (2nd) and scoring defense (1st) this season.
... If the Seahawks make it to Super Bowl 50, they join the early '70s Dolphins and early '90s Bills as the only teams to appear in three consecutive Super Bowls.
... Only two Super Bowl losers have won the Super Bowl the next season: 1970-71 Cowboys and 1971-72 Dolphins.

http://www.nfl.com/news

[Mothman]

Here are some other stats about the Vikings:

...The Vikings are 0-4 when allowing more than 20 points and 10-0 when allowing less than 20 points.
... The Vikings have the NFL's best point differential (+60) over the final three weeks of the regular season.
... As a defensive coordinator, coach Mike Zimmer's teams were 0-6 in the postseason.
... Bridgewater boasts a 108.5 passer rating over the past four games after posting a 83.0 rating in the first 12.
... Since being drafted five picks apart nine years ago, Peterson (97) and Lynch (74) have two highest rushing touchdown totals in the league. ... The last player to win the NFL's rushing title and a Super Bowl ring in the same season was Terrell Davis back in 1998-99.
... Stefon Diggs is the first rookie to lead the Vikings in receiving yards (720) since Randy Moss' brilliant 1998 season.
... Cordarrelle Patterson led the NFL in kickoff return average for the second time in three years.
... Blair Walsh led the NFL in field goals (34) this season.

Stats about the Seahawks:

...Russell Wilson is the first player in NFL history to record 4,000+ passing yards, 30+ touchdown passes and 500+ rushing yards in a single season.
... Wilson is 3-0 against the Vikings in his career, with 8:0 TD-to-INT ratio and a 142.0 passer rating.
... Wilson took 109 QB hits this season, the most of any quarterback.
... Only four running backs in NFL history have averaged more rushing yards per playoff game than Marshawn Lynch's 91.7.
... Wilson's passer rating is 33.7 points higher without Lynch in the lineup this season. It's 22.1 points higher without Jimmy Graham in the lineup.
... Doug Baldwin has 11 touchdowns in his last six games after managing just 11 touchdowns in his previous 43 games combined.
... Baldwin was responsible for the NFL's top passer rating when targeted this season (139.9). Teammate Tyler Lockett has the second-highest rating among players with 50+ targets.
... Since 1995, no player has allowed a lower passer rating in the playoffs than Richard Sherman's 16.9.
... This game will be played at 10:05 AM on the West Coast. Under Pete Carroll, the Seahawks are just 11-14 in games played at that time.
... Seattle is the only team to rank in the top five in total offense (4th), scoring offense (4th), total defense (2nd) and scoring defense (1st) this season.
... If the Seahawks make it to Super Bowl 50, they join the early '70s Dolphins and early '90s Bills as the only teams to appear in three consecutive Super Bowls.
... Only two Super Bowl losers have won the Super Bowl the next season: 1970-71 Cowboys and 1971-72 Dolphins.

http://www.nfl.com/news

Thanks! That's a mixed bag of stats for us Vikes fans but it's all pretty interesting. That first one is an eye-opener:

The Vikings are 0-4 when allowing more than 20 points and 10-0 when allowing less than 20 points.

[IrishViking]

Those are a mixed bag.

I Hope Zimmer shakes off the coordinator curse! 0-6? I could have sworn he won it all as a coordinator in Dallas.

[Mothman]

Those are a mixed bag.

I Hope Zimmer shakes off the coordinator curse! 0-6? I could have sworn he won it all as a coordinator in Dallas.

I think he was a defensive assistant at that point, not yet a coordinator.

[PurpleMustReign]

Something that i dont remember seeing mentioned, but i may have missed: this was the first year since the magical run of 1998 (7-1) where the Vikings had a winning road record.

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