The Seattle Seahawks (8-6) are essentially in a must-win situation against the Minnesota Vikings (12-2). They’re fighting for a playoff spot as the Vikings try to overtake the Detroit Lions in the NFC North and potentially secure the conference’s No. 1 seed. If the Seahawks play anything like they did against the Green Bay Packers, just look at something else because this is going to get ugly. Otherwise? Maybe we’ll get a Christmas present from our favorite team.

It’s time for some predictions. First, let’s review last week’s mess.

Bold prediction: Julian Love intercepts Jordan Love

No. Love forced a turnover, but it went to Josh Jacobs.

Seahawks offensive prediction: Jaxon Smith-Njigba sets a franchise record

Ding ding ding! He has 70-plus yards receiving in six straight games, something no other Seahawks receiver can claim.

Seahawks Defense Prediction: Josh Jacobs was held to under 80 rushing yards and 4 yards/attempt

I was half right. He averaged just 3.6 yards per carry on 26 attempts, but ended up with 94 rushing yards and tore Seattle apart in the first half.

Foe Prediction: Xavier McKinney gets his eighth interception of the year

Didn’t happen, but Geno was chosen.

Game Prediction: The Seahawks make a big statement at home and upset the Packers

You made a clear statement. However, they didn’t win the game.

Flush that down the toilet. Let’s get to this week!

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Bold prediction: Seahawks Win the revenue battle

Notice I didn’t say, “Seahawks don’t turn the ball over.”

Seattle has only won the turnover battle three times all season, and not coincidentally, the Seahawks won all of those games. The Seahawks are too prone to turnovers and the Vikings are too good at taking the ball away that I can imagine Seattle not dumping it at least once. However, Seattle’s defense has forced a takeaway in seven straight games, and the Vikings have only one fewer giveaways than Seattle. However, Minnesota only had one game with a negative TO differential and won that game against the Indianapolis Colts.

There will be turnover opportunities for both teams, but I think the Seahawks defense will get to Sam Darnold often enough to force bad throws and maybe even a strip sack. Aaron Jones has also been prone to fumbles this season, coughing it up five times.

Seahawks offensive prediction: DK Metcalf scores his first 100-yard game since Week 4

Decoy Metcalf is cool if it gives Jaxon Smith-Njigba more opportunities to eat, but I don’t want an expensive decoy at wide receiver. Metcalf only rushed for 28 yards in the Green Bay Packers game and has averaged 70 yards in a game since returning from his knee injury.

Unless something else happens, the Vikings will give up passing yards. They rank 29th in yards allowed while they are way ahead in sacks and interceptions, such is the nature of Brian Flores’ defense. Minnesota’s defense has few weaknesses, but the cornerbacks (including Byron Murphy Jr, who has seven interceptions) can be vulnerable to allowing big plays. If Flores is aggressive as usual when blitzing, this is Ryan Grubb’s chance to show off his blitzing chops.

I think we’ll give DK some ball games and he’ll have a big game. Yes, I thought about making this prediction for Tyler Lockett in what could be his final home game, but I can’t imagine he’ll have much of a sendoff given how this season has gone.

Seahawks Defense Prediction: Sam Darnold will be sacked at least three times

Seattle’s pass rush hasn’t been consistent in converting pressure into sacks. The Seahawks have failed to record a sack three times this year, including last week against the Packers. Sam Darnold’s sack rate is actually higher (8.97%) than Geno Smith’s (8.14%).

Minnesota’s offensive line isn’t great in pass protection and less so due to Christian Darrisaw’s season-ending knee injury. If there was ever a time for the Seahawks to force negative plays and get multiple sacks, it’s this week.

Of course, the Seahawks have to be close enough (i.e., not get blown out) for that to happen. Hint, hint. Time for Derick Hall and Boye Mafe to increase their sack totals. And will Byron Murphy II finally get his first full sack of his career? Mayyyyyybe.

Enemy Prediction: Andrew Van Ginkel attacks Geno Smith

It’s almost inevitable that Ryan Grubb will call up some sort of center field, and that will backfire.

Andrew Van Ginkel came from the Miami Dolphins. He excels at blocking passes at the line of scrimmage.

It happens.

Game Prediction: The Seahawks play the Vikings closely, but come up just short

I can’t bring myself to angrily pick the Seahawks after I did it last week. Against every viable Super Bowl contender, which I believe the Vikings are one of, they always looked unprepared on at least one side. How am I supposed to change my mind based on the evidence we’ve seen throughout the season?

And yet… maybe this time they won’t be destroyed. Desperation is a funny thing, and the Seahawks have played like a desperate team a hell of a lot of times since the bye week. Geno Smith is limped, but Kenneth Walker III is back, which should hopefully be the cue to significantly include Walker and Zach Charbonnet to prevent Smith from falling back and having to throw 35+ times. Smith would be best served getting the ball out as quickly as possible to slow down a fearsome Vikings pass rush led by former Houston Texans draft pick Jonathan Greenard.

I’m worried about the Seahawks’ defense and their ability to stop Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson and Aaron Jones. Minnesota is one of the better play-action teams in the NFL and Seattle ranks 30th in EPA/play-on-defense-defense-play-action. This seems ripe for allowing a lot of explosives, which could potentially force the Seahawks to put up a lot of points. In my opinion, this is more of a true test for Seattle’s secondary and starting linebackers than the pass rush.

Minnesota had some close contests on the road against inferior opponents, including a 12-7 win over the Mac Jones-led Jacksonville Jaguars and a late blown lead that led to a 30-27 overtime win over the Chicago Bears. It’s possible the Seahawks punch above their weight or the Vikings stumble in another trip to the West Coast, as they have done so many times over the years.

Unfortunately, after a valiant but unsuccessful attempt at a stunning goal, I believe the Seahawks will find themselves on the doorstep of playoff elimination. At the end of the 4th quarter, the Vikings will escape with a 30-20 win. As always, I hope I’m wrong in my game prediction, because I’ve certainly guessed against Seattle a lot this season.