With a reworked offensive unit, the Minnesota Vikings have plenty to figure out on that side of the football this preseason. The Vikes will take their new-look offense to the Pacific Northwest for a battle with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 of the 2017 preseason slate. Vikings’ coach Mike Zimmer likes to win games and it doesn’t matter if it’s an exhibition contest. Minnesota improved to 13-1 during the preseason under Zimmer with last week’s win over Buffalo.
The Week 2 preseason battle between the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks will take place Friday, August 18, 2017, at 7 p.m. ET at CenturyLink Field. Watch the game live on the NFL Network.
Odds Analysis
Typically we don’t see preseason games with a spread above 3-points and when it goes higher, it isn’t by much. Seattle has a tremendous home field advantage and will be laying a few points in this matchup, though the line has yet to hit the board with Seattle playing late Sunday. The Vikings travelled to Seattle for the second preseason game last year and beat the Seahawks outright 18-11 as a 2.5-point underdog.
Quarterback Rotation
Zimmer wasn’t pleased with the performance of his first offensive unit in Thursday’s win over Buffalo, so expect to see Sam Bradford get another go at the beginning of this one. Bradford had a decent night throwing the ball, he was 5 of 7 for 35 yards, but he was sacked twice and the group did not produce any points.
We will see plenty of Case Keenum and Taylor Heinicke. Keenum took a huge leap for the backup spot with his play against the Bills, completing 11 of 16 pass attempts for 121 yards. Heinicke, who missed all of last season with an injury, threw the Vikes only scoring pass of the preseason opener, but hit on just 3 of 8 attempts. Minnesota’s offense looked a lot like the group that struggled last season.
Pete Carroll knows exactly what he has in Russell Wilson and he likes to get his starter a taste of the action. Wilson led the Seahawks on one drive in Sunday’s slaughter of the Chargers, hitting 3 of 4 attempts for 41 yards to produce a field goal. One series is likely all we see of Wilson on Friday as he turns it over to the backups. Carroll needs to take a good look at Trevone Boykin and Austin Davis just in case.
Boykin played sparingly last season as Wilson’s backup and the coaching staff isn’t sure what they have. According to some observers Boykin has been erratic during camp, but he was sharp against the Chargers on Sunday, completing 12 of 15 attempts for 189 yards and a touchdown. He also gained 31 yards on four rush attempts. Davis will also get some reps after a sharp outing on Sunday.
Coaching History
Winning in the preseason doesn’t guarantee regular season success, but it does teach a team some valuable lessons. Under Zimmer the Vikings have been the best team during the exhibition season and improved their record to 13-1 both SU and ATS in his four seasons on the sideline. He wants to win games no matter when they’re played and his team has responded during the preseason, winning Vikings’ backers plenty of coin.
Seattle has been good during the preseason under Carroll but not as good as the Vikings. The Seahawks are 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in their last seven exhibition games with their only straight up loss in that span coming against the Vikings at home last season. Overall, Carroll is 19-10 SU and 20-9 ATS during the preseason as coach of the Seahawks.
Free ATS Pick
The Vikings are looking for a lot more offensive production after the team struggled last season. We’re likely to see the first stringers for a few series as they work out the kinks with a rebuilt offensive line, but damage against the Seahawks will be difficult.
The line struggled against the Bills and sacks on successive drives killed any chance of getting points. But the Vikings ended up winning the game, something they’ve done plenty of during the preseason under Zimmer. However, this one has a different outcome.
Seattle won’t use it’s starters for more than a series, but the reserves have plenty to play for. Boykin needs to continue his rise to solidify the backup job and make sure the coaching staff has confidence in his ability. And there’s no doubt he has the skills to be a successful quarterback. The Vikings won’t find their offensive rhythm in this one making the under the right play.
NFL Odds: Seahawks 20, Vikings 12
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