Our Prediction for Vikings at Seahawks in Week 13

Vikings safety Harrison Smith in 2018.
Aug 24, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive back Harrison Smith (22) warms up before the game against Seattle Seahawks at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The 2025 Minnesota Vikings are damn near unsolvable to forecast. They can’t get out of a three-game losing rut and might’ve posted their worst performance of the season last Sunday at Lambeau Field. Nevertheless, our writers are back with game day predictions.

Our Week 13 prediction breaks down what to expect when the Minnesota Vikings travel to face the Seattle Seahawks in a late-season matchup.

While not across the board, most of our panel thinks the Seattle Seahawks will win this matchup in Week 13, sinking Minnesota to an awful 4-8 mark through 13 weeks.

Prediction for Vikings at Seahawks from VikingsTerritory

Minnesota has lost five of the last six matchups in Seattle.

Sam Darnold prepares for a play against the Cardinals.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold lines up for another offensive series on Sep 25, 2025, at State Farm Stadium during a divisional meeting with the Arizona Cardinals. In his first season with Seattle, Darnold entered the matchup amid renewed confidence after resurrecting his career in Minnesota the year prior, guiding the Seahawks through an early playoff push. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Writer Score Predictions

Primarily forecasting Seattle, the group doesn’t have much faith in Minnesota after three losses in a row. The team must show evidence to the contrary for our staff to believe.

Here’s the full prediction slate:

Dustin Baker: SEA Wins, 31-17
Sean Borman: SEA Wins, 27-17
Janik Eckardt: SEA Wins, 35-16
Josh Frey: SEA Wins, 31-10
Henrique Gucciardi: MIN Wins, 21-20
Wesley Johnson: SEA Wins, 28-13
Kyle Joudry: SEA Wins, 33-20
Adam New: MIN Wins, 19-17
Tony Schultz: SEA Wins, 35-10
Ted Schwerzler: SEA Wins, 24-14
Ali Siddiqui: SEA Wins, 30-13
Cole Smith: SEA Wins, 21-17

In Week 12, Tony Schultz and Dustin Baker most accurately forecasted the outcome of Packers-Vikings, picking Green Bay to prevail by 10. Matt LaFleur’s team won by 17.

Both forecasters chose Seattle to win this week โ€” by a wide margin.

Standings per Writer for the Season

This isn’t pretty, but let’s be accountable.

Sean Borman: 6-5
Janik Eckardt: 6-5
Ted Schwerzler: 6-5
Ali Siddiqui: 6-5
Dustin Baker: 5-6
Kyle Joudry: 5-6
Adam New: 5-6
Cole Smith: 5-6
Henrique Gucciardi: 4-7
Josh Frey: 4-7
Tony Schultz: 4-7
Wes Johnson: 4-7

Four writers, alas, popped over .500, as this year has featured a Minnesota team that is oddly difficult to forecast. The season is also notably missing a patented Kevin O’Connell win streak. In every season since he joined the team, Minnesota has at least one five-game winning spurt. None this year to date.

Josh Metellus poses after a Seahawks turnover.
Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus poses for a celebratory photo on Dec 22, 2024, at Lumen Field after a late-game Seattle Seahawks turnover, capping a strong defensive outing during Minnesota’s road push to stay alive in the playoff race. The veteran defender remained one of the locker room’s emotional leaders throughout the season, often setting the tone in critical moments. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.

The Vikings would have to win their remaining six games and get a little help along the way to reach the postseason.

Score from a Collective Voice

Drumroll: Our writers believe Seattle will win this matchup rather handily. Our official score prediction is Seattle over Minnesota, 28-16.

The purple team hasn’t been this large of an underdog since the end of the 2021 campaign, when the Vikings travelled to Lambeau Field for a date with the Packers and were led by QB2 Sean Mannion. Green Bay creamed Minnesota that weekend, so onlookers will hope for a different outcome this go-round.

Sportsbooks expect the Vikings to lose by 11 or 12.

Other Predictions

SI.com‘s Will Ragatz picked Minnesota to lose by 11 and explained, “It would not surprise me at all if Brosmer looks better than McCarthy has over the past few weeks. Brosmer hasn’t taken a meaningful snap in the NFL, but he gained a lot more experience than McCarthy did at the college level in terms of total reps. Yes, most of those were at FCS New Hampshire, but football is football. Brosmer is a smart processor who knows the Vikings’ offense well and should be able to get the ball out quickly to avoid the Seahawks’ fearsome pass rush.”

“But while I do think Brosmer and the Vikings will score some points, I don’t think it’ll be enough to keep pace with Seattle’s high-powered offense. Sam Darnold throws three touchdowns and no picks in a performance that will make many Vikings fans wonder what this season could’ve looked like if he were still in Minnesota.”

Theo Jackson and teammates celebrate after his interception in Seattle.
Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson leads a sideline celebration with Shaquill Griffin, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, Harrison Phillips, and Dwight McGlothern on Dec 22, 2024, at Lumen Field after Jackson’s fourth-quarter interception against the Seattle Seahawks. The play punctuated one of Minnesota’s most opportunistic defensive stretches of the season, with the group showcasing the chemistry that carried the secondary through late-year adversity. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.

RotoWorld added: “Sunday’s game in Seattle has all the makings of a rout when Sam Darnold returns to Minnesota with the Seattle Seahawks to take on the Vikings. The biggest storyline for the game is at quarterback. Minnesota rookie J.J. McCarthy is in concussion protocol and is not expected to play.”

“Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is expected to make his first NFL start. Seahawks’ quarterback Sam Darnold for the first time will face the team he played for last season. Darnold leads a Seattle offense that ranks high in explosive plays, leading the league in the rate of passing plays gaining 10 or more yards. They also boast a Top 5 passing offense in terms of yards per game. The Seahawks’ defense ‘juggernaut’ that ranks third in yards per play allowed. The ingredients are in place for a long day for the locals in Minneapolis.”

The Vikings will be without the services of rookie guard Donovan Jackson, in addition to McCarthy.


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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker