Why the Vikings Might Actually Beat the Seahawks
The Sam Darnold revenge game will unfold this Sunday, as Darnold’s former team, the Minnesota Vikings, travels to his new city of employment, Seattle, for a showdown with the 8-3 Seahawks. The Vikings are expected to lose decisively, but here’s a peek at why that’s not a foregone conclusion.
Here’s why the Vikings might actually beat the Seahawks, with matchups and trends that give Minnesota a clearer path than expected in Week 13.
This season is just weird enough for Minnesota to pull this thing off.
How the Vikings Could Steal One in Seattle
The blueprint for a dub.
Max Brosmer Could … Ball
Brosmer is an undrafted free agent; he isn’t supposed to be starting in 2025 — or ever. When J.J. McCarthy has struggled, the criticism has been warranted. The Vikings invested 1st-Round capital in him, so expectations sit higher. For Brosmer, it’s the opposite. When Jaren Hall briefly took over two seasons ago and flopped against the Green Bay Packers, the reaction was muted because he was “just a 5th-Rounder.”
If Brosmer falters in Seattle, the response will be, “What did you expect? Guy’s undrafted.”
If Minnesota wins its remaining six games, it would have a 75% chance of reaching the postseason. It’s unlikely, but a six-game run can’t start without a road win in Seattle.
A Vikings win would keep the season afloat — barely — and extend the suspense until they’re officially out. Kevin O’Connell has produced at least one five-game win streak in each season he’s coached. Brosmer has the chance to spark another this weekend.
The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick delivered an opposite theory on Brosmer this week, though, “Getting a win in Seattle is going to be incredibly difficult for Brosmer, and it’s not just because the Seahawks are one of the best teams in the league this year, but it’s also because it’s something that has rarely been accomplished in the history of the league.”
“In the five instances of undrafted rookie quarterbacks making their first career starts on the road against an opponent with a winning record, they’ve averaged a 49.1 percent completion rate and 207 passing yards while throwing a total of four touchdowns and four interceptions.”
Minnesota had some luck with the last two undrafted quarterbacks to enter the starting lineup: Nick Mullens and Case Keenum.
Patrick added, “These aren’t exactly record-setting numbers, and the fact that Seattle currently ranks fourth in the NFL in points allowed per opposing offensive drive, isn’t going to make life any easier for Brosmer either this weekend. This isn’t to say that Minnesota’s undrafted rookie passer cannot defy the odds on Sunday and deliver a memorable performance that leads to an unexpected win.”
“But it’s probably best for Vikings fans to just temper their expectations to avoid having any sort of major letdown this weekend in case Brosmer ends up performing like he’s, well, an undrafted rookie making his first-ever NFL start.”
Brosmer looked sharp in the preseason. He could be good — a dusty jewel.
Vikings Due for an Onslaught of Takeaways
A strength last year, Minnesota no longer forces fumbles or interceptions at any meaningful rate. Through 11 games, the Vikings sit near the bottom of the league in takeaways.
That nauseating stat should eventually correct itself, and Brian Flores’ group could drift back toward the mean this weekend. Between defense and special teams, Minnesota is due for multiple turnovers, and Seattle presents that opportunity with Darnold, who gives the ball away in streaks.
The Vikings are overdue to generate multiple takeaways in a single game. If they do that at Lumen Field, a dub will ensue.
Darnld Crumbles in Big Games
The reason Darold doesn’t play for the Vikings anymore is probably that he faceplanted when the club needed him the most. In Week 18 last season against the Detroit Lions, Minnesota could have captured homefield advantage throughout the postseason, but Darnold personally flopped. He did the same thing a week later in the postseason.
And for the Seahawks a couple of weeks ago, Darnold flopped against the Rams — again — in a game that decided temporary control of the NFC West.
Listen, the guy is awesome, but he certifiably does vaporize in huge moments.
Darnold was asked this week if returning to Minnesota was a reasonable option during the offseason, and he replied, “I think for me, it was just understanding what was being talked about … behind closed doors with people over there and my people.”
“But at the end of the day, I made the decision to come to Seattle, and I’m very, very happy about that decision and excited to continue to work the way that we’ve been working here, and continue to build the relationships in that locker room and with the coaching staff here.”
If Darnold considers his grudge match against Minnesota a “big game,” there’s a decent chance that he stinks.
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