Seahawks Vikings Betting – Favre Plays First Home Game of Preseason
A national television audience turned on NBC last Sunday, in anticipation of Brett Favre’s first preseason appearance in 2010. Favre played, all right, but he lasted just four snaps, as Minnesota Viking head coach Brad Childress decided to treat his franchise quarterback very gently. Minnesota’s offense never found full and flowing rhythm, and the defending NFC North champions lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 15-10. This Saturday, Favre will likely play. Moroever, he’ll likely play more than one series of downs. How (if at all) will this affect Minnesota’s contest against the visiting Seattle Seahawks?
NFL Betting: Seattle Seahawks @ Minnesota Vikings
Online Betting Odds: Vikings -6
Why To Bet On The Seahawks
The Seahawks have a lot of issues, but in the preseason, they’ve been scoring at a reasonable clip. Coach Pete Carroll’s crew has hit the 20-point mark in each of its two preseason games. An even more encouraging sign for Seattle came last Saturday night against Green Bay, as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck hit 11 of 15 passes for 127 yards without an interception. If Hasselbeck is that crisp once again, the Seahawks should gain an early lead or – if Favre leads a scoring drive for the Vikings – at least keep pace with Minnesota. The effectiveness and confidence of Hasselbeck, protected by an offensive line that has really hurt the team over the past few seasons, could very well enable Seattle to go to Minneapolis and steal this road win.
Why To Bet On The Vikings
Some preseason games carry more of an emotional impact than others. In this case, the Vikings certainly have reason to play with extra juice and verve. Favre, the player who led Minnesota within a few yards – and one field goal that was never attempted – of the Super Bowl will be playing his first home game of the preseason. This is an occasion in which the home crowd will be extra boisterous, and that could both rattle the Seahawks while giving the Vikings an extra injection of confidence. Minnesota will want to play well around Favre, especially since the San Francisco start blew up in the team’s face. Motivation offers the Vikings a portal to victory in a game that is ultimately meaningless. Minnesota’s defensive line, up against Seattle’s offensive front, should also help the Vkings a lot on Saturday night.
How The Game Will Play Out
After both offenses score in the first quarter and create suggestions of a shootout, the game will settle down into an even-steven encounter. Minnesota will display a considerable level of intensity, but Seattle has been able to score in the second halves of exhibition games this year. The Seahawks’ backups aren’t world-beaters, but they have indeed managed to score after halftime in each of their first two preseason contests. This underappreciated aspect of preseason football is what will enable Seattle to stay within the number. Minnesota probably wins the game, but not by six points or more. Take the Seahawks plus the (generous) six points.
