Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks (0115 GMT)
Games don’t come much bigger than two play-off chaser colliding in Week 14 on Monday Night Football – and CenturyLink Field will be at its ear-splitting best as the Seahawks look to put one foot into the post-season.
Both teams currently sit in the two NFC wildcard spots and both will remain there regardless of the result, but the Vikings in particular will be clinging on by way of their one tie while Seattle have a slightly bigger buffer sitting on 7-5 currently.
Although it won’t clinch a play-off spot for the winner or be fatal for the loser, the impact of winning this game cannot be understated, given the magnitude of the contest at this stage of the season.
Both these sides have decent chances of making the post-season and both have been improving of late, with the Seahawks winning three straight while although the Vikings have lost three of the last five they’ve come in tough games against the Saints, Bears and Patriots – three play-off teams.
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has largely earned his whopping contract with some solid performances but the over-emphasis on the passing game limits their effectiveness to a degree. With the Seahawks struggling in the secondary in recent weeks though that may well be their best bet here.
Hearing yourself think in an atmosphere like Seattle’s is nearly impossible but Cousins has developed a great rapport with receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, the league’s best receiving duo, who have a combined 15 touchdowns this season.
Dalvin Cook's return at running back could be huge in this game, as Seattle aren't the best against the run and a few early runs can help settle the Vikings down and open up those gifted receivers via play-action.
Seattle, by contrast, are the top rushing team in the NFL while Minnesota are in the bottom three for ground attacks. In Russell Wilson Seattle have a quarterback who can make the very most from the scraps he’s given to throw the ball - as he's thrown six more touchdowns than Cousins despite registering over 700 yards less.
Minnesota need both sides of the ball to show up big to win this one, but after coming up just short in a few of these big games, this could well be their time to finally win a big one in the national spotlight.
Verdict: Vikings to win at 11/8
Touchdowns: Adam Thielen & Dalvin Cook both to score at 4/1
Handicap & points: Vikings (+2.5) & over 46.5 points at 3/1
