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Welcome to the Sunday Night Showdown Slate for NFL Week 5!
What a whirlwind of the morning, right? Broncos/Patriots being cancelled has sent the fantasy world into a tizzy, we’re still not sure about the Titans/Bills game with another coach testing positive for Tennessee and waiver wire cupboards have been cleaned out. Good thing NONE of that matters for tonight’s Seahawks/Vikings game!
Before we start, please allow me to reiterate that while we all love having a little skin in the game, these showdown slates are basically lottery tickets. Sure, there are times when the chalk hits and everyone shares in the prizes, but more often than not, you need that random, differentiate yourself from the herd dart-throw to hit in order to claim that top prize. As a result, we encourage to play responsibly. Stick to the GPP contests (single-entry preferred), don’t blow your whole bankroll and understand that, unless you are a max-entry player, you should prioritize having fun.
OK, lecture over. Let’s get to tonight’s action.
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Spread: Seahawks -6.5
O/U: 54.5
Betting Facts:
Money line: Seattle -286; Minnesota +245
The Seahawks are 4-0 against the spread this season.
Since joining the Vikings, Kirk Cousins is 5-11 ATS against teams with a winning record
Weather: High 50s, rain (85% chance) with winds SSW at 13 mph
Last 5 Match-Ups:
Seahawks lead 5-0
Average margin of victory of all games: 14.8
Last Match-Up: Seahawks beat the Vikings 37-30 in Seattle on 12/2/2019
Notable Injuries:
Seahawks:
Carlos Hyde (shoulder – questionable)
Jamal Adams (groin – out)
Quinton Dunbar (knee – questionable)
Vikings:
Holton Hill (foot – questionable)
Defensive Rankings (Using DVOA):
Seahawks:
vs Pass: 29th
vs Run: 6th
Vikings:
vs Pass: 9th
vs Run: 24th
Prop Bets to Watch:
The reason we are listing these here is to help you understand what the Vegas expectations are. If you aren’t routinely amazed by how accurate spreads and totals are, you haven’t been paying attention and you’re missing out on a valuable tool. Take a look at the list below and understand how to utilize for DFS. When you see the over and under have the same money line, that’s Vegas’ way of saying it can go either way. You have the base number and can determine whether you use a player or not based on that. But when there is a different money line on the over and unders (highlighted in green), Vegas is telling you what to expect. A negative money line means they feel it is more likely to happen which can help you make decisions regarding which players to play.
Russell Wilson Passing Yards: 315.5 (over & under -112); TD Passes: 2.5 (over +100; under -124)
Kirk Cousins Passing Yards: 275.5 (over & under -112); TD Passes: 1.5 (over -139; under +112)
Dalvin Cook Rushing Yards: 77.5 (over & under -112); Receiving Yards: 22.5 (over & under -112)
Chris Carson Rushing Yards: 65.5 (over & under -112); Receiving Yards: 20.5 (over & under -112)
Adam Thielen Receiving Yards: 77.5 (over & under -112)
Justin Jefferson Receiving Yards: 67.5 (over -143; under +115)
D.K. Metcalf Receiving Yards: 72.5 (over -124; under +100)
Tyler Lockett Receiving Yards: 77.5 (over & under -112)
David Moore Receiving Yards: 31.5 (over & under -112)
Kyle Rudolph Receiving Yards: 23.5 (over & under -112)
Greg Olsen Receiving Yards: 35.5 (over & under -112)
Here’s a breakdown of which players we suggest looking at for tonight:
Quarterbacks:
Russell Wilson , SEA – Despite the rain, you simply cannot ignore Wilson with all the weaponry he has at his disposal. The yards may not be what we are used to but he will throw with efficiency and he’s also a threat to run one in himself. I may not use him in the Captain/MVP spot because of the weather, but he should be used otherwise.
Kirk Cousins , MIN – The Vikings are more of a run-first team than even the Seahawks are, so Cousins’ performance will be tied to how effective Dalvin Cook is and what the game flow looks like. If Cook is running strong, Cousins won’t need to open up unless the Seahawks are successful at airing it out. If it becomes a shootout, Cousins works given how bad the Seattle secondary looks.
Running Backs:
Chris Carson , SEA – Carson has shaken off whatever injuries were supposedly plaguing him and should warrant Captain/MVP consideration given his high usage and success. He’s coming off a two-score game with 100 all-purpose yards and is looking to carry that momentum against a defense that has allowed almost 135 rushing yards per game and has coughed up four rushing touchdowns.
Dalvin Cook , MIN – We don’t need to tell you how amazing Cook is or how successful he is in this run-first, zone-blocking scheme that Gary Kubiak runs. We should mention that Seattle has allowed just over 75 rushing yards per game this season, but they have allowed five rushing touchdowns on the season. Cook is Captain/MVP-worthy any time you’re playing a Minnesota showdown slate.
Wide Receivers:
D.K. Metcalf, SEA – The rain is the only thing working against Metcalf in this match-up. Whether it’s a hobbled Holton Hill or rookie Cameron Dantzler in coverage, Metcalf has a massive advantage. His size and speed are very tough to match and he is going to have an easy time gaining position.
Tyler Lockett , SEA – This is going to be a very interesting match-up should this game be taken to the air instead of the ground. Lockett will be covered by rookie Jeff Gladney and while Gladney is a talented cover guy, it seems very unlikely that he will be able to handle Lockett all game. Again, rain could be a problem but it’s hard not to love Lockett in this match-up.
David Moore , SEA – He seems to be the forgotten guy in this passing attack at times. He only sees 3-5 targets in a game, but he’s found the end zone twice this season and seems to have a nice downfield connection with Wilson. He’ll save you some salary, but he’s not someone you want for your primary lineup.
Adam Thielen , MIN – Thielen could actually have a strong game here as the Seahawks coverage is pretty bad, but even in the rain, should Cousins have to take it to the air at all, the short, quick passes to Thielen will be his bread and butter. He’s probably not someone you want in the Captain/MVP spot, but definitely usable in your primary lineup.
Justin Jefferson, MIN – He’s in a great spot this week, especially if the Vikings end up needing to throw the ball around more. He’ll see a lot of Tre Flowers in coverage which is a nice advantage for Jefferson, but even if Shaquill Griffin is on him, the advantage belongs to Minnesota. As much as we’d love to get him into our main lineup, the rain is turning us off right now.
Tight Ends:
Greg Olsen , SEA – The Vikings rank 18th in DVOA against the tight end which puts Olsen in a really nice spot this week. He’s seen 13 targets in the last two games and four of them have come inside the red zone. If the Seahawks get inside the 10-yard line, he becomes a major target.
Jacob Hollister , SEA – More of a dart-throw at the TE position for Seattle. He’s caught a touchdown this season already, but he doesn’t see the consistent targets Olsen gets.
Kyle Rudolph , MIN – Between the Seahawks ranking fifth in DVOA against the tight end and not seeing enough consistent targets, Rudolph doesn’t profile as anything more than a desperate dart-throw.
Irv Smith, Jr., MIN – If you think Rudolph is a desperate dart-throw, how much of a longshot is Smith tonight?
Defense/Kickers:
Seattle Seahawks D/ST – Given the rain, both defenses could actually be in play despite the ridiculously high over/under. Bad weather means sloppy play and sloppy play means turnovers.
Minnesota Vikings D/ST – If we have to pick a defense, we’re going to lean on Seattle’s. Tough to go against Wilson in any fashion, though with the way some of these games have gone today…who knows?
Jason Myers , SEA – Kicking in the rain is never fun. Wouldn’t use him at all.
Dan Bailey , MIN – See above.
If you are looking for lineup help, check out our NFL Lineup Generator which can be adjusted for Showdown Slates.
Player News
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala says free agent QB Aaron Rodgers “is not going to play just for the sake of playing.”
Kinkhabwala has had conversations with Rodgers and executives around the league trying to sign him. Based on those conversations, she says, “it’s extremely clear Rodgers is not going to play just for the sake of playing.” He remains unsigned with the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon and multiple teams needing quarterback help. The Steelers are the most likely fit, but it seems Rodgers won’t force it if he does not find a good fit. This explains why Rodgers has been interested in the Vikings and has not yet signed. The 41-year-old may be headed for retirement if a situation he prefers, like the Vikings, does not want him back. His options remain limited and Rodgers may call it a career if he still does not like his options later in the offseason.
Bears signed LB T.J. Edwards to a two-year, $20 million extension.
Edwards’ extension includes $16.6 million guaranteed. The Bears originally signed him to a three-year, $19.5 million contract two seasons ago and he has outplayed that salary. Edwards has four interceptions, 6.5 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss in two seasons starting for Chicago in the middle of the field. He gets a raise as the Bears lock up another important part of their defense after extending CB Kyler Gordon earlier in the week.
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams visited the Falcons on Wednesday.
Williams posted on his Instagram that he visited the Falcons facility on what was the last day of pre-draft visits. The 20-year-old is a Georgia native, played at the University of Georgia, and is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Falcons have a need for an edge rusher and hold the No. 15 pick. They may look to keep Williams in-state and add his skillset to their pass-rushing group. Williams tallied five sacks last season and has explosive production for any team looking to add an edge rusher in the first round.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart “won’t fall out of the first round.”
Schultz reports his sources are indicating that Dart will not fall out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He continues that the Giants are a candidate to trade up from pick No. 34 into the first round to take Dart if they do not take a quarterback at pick No. 3. The Saints are also an option with pick No. 9 or a trade up from pick No. 40. Dart is generally considered the third quarterback to come off the board after Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, so a team in need of a franchise quarterback may take a chance on him after Ward and Sanders are selected. Teams could look to gain a fifth-year option on Dart and trade into the first round if he is not taken earlier.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Raiders LT Kolton Miller is not participating in the voluntary offseason program and seeks an extension.
Miller was the Raiders’ first-round pick in 2018 and has started 107 games over seven seasons for the team. He is set to enter the final year of his current contract in 2025, making $12.25 million. Though he is not technically holding out yet since the offseason program is voluntary, Fowler notes Miller is seeking an extension. He finished last season with an 80.6 PFF grade, No. 14 among offensive tackles. Miller has been the Raiders’ franchise left tackle for seven years now and both sides will certainly discuss an extension as training camp nears.
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten said he had a private workout with the Commanders’ running backs coach.
Tuten didn’t name him directly, but Anthony Lynn is currently the Commanders’ running backs coach and run game coordinator. The Commanders were hampered by injuries to both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler last year. Robinson Jr. missed three games and played through some of his injuries while Ekeler missed five contests and was limited to just 112 touches. Tuten crushed the combine with a 4.32 Forty at 5'9/206. He handled 200 touches in back-to-back seasons at Virginia Tech while topping 1,100 yards from scrimmage in both campaigns. He would offer the Washington backfield a good mix of durability and home run potential.