Published Nov 28, 6:33pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Nov 28, 6:33pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Nov 28, 6:51pm ET
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| Seattle Seahawks | -11.5 (-115) |
| Minnesota Vikings | +11.5 (-105) |
The speculation as to whether the Vikings would bench struggling QB J.J. McCarthy was quieted for the moment when he suffered a concussion. Max Brosmer will start against the Seahawks.
#Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is in concussion protocol. Below is perhaps the play it happened on, 5:01 mark of the 4th quarter. Video courtesy: Our @Wise_6. pic.twitter.com/Z178yRZGM4
— KSTPSports (@KSTPSports) November 24, 2025
McCarthy has been the Vikings' primary focus this season. As they travel to Seattle, they will face their 2024 Pro Bowl QB, Sam Darnold, who they could have retained to give McCarthy a year on the active roster behind an experienced veteran.
They chose not to do that, let Darnold go, and put all the chips on McCarthy. Currently, it looks like they have lost.
Minnesota's offense is in the bottom quarter of the league in rushing and passing, which is to be expected when they have a second-year QB who missed his rookie season with a knee injury and was dropped into the fire. Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson is having a poor year for him with 60 catches, 795 yards, and 2 TDs.
Most offensive numbers should be shunted to the side, given how bad McCarthy has been.
Brosmer makes his first NFL start. The 24-year-old played college football at Minnesota, starting as a senior, throwing 18 TD passes against 6 picks. The team went 8-5.
They are the worst in the league with a -12 takeaway differential. Their pass defense has been solid, ranked seventh. They are vulnerable to the run, ranked 24th.
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| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| J.J. McCarthy, QB | INJURED |
| Donovan Jackson, G | INJURED |
| Christian Darrisaw, OT | INJURED |
| Jalen Raymond, DT | INJURED |
| Theo Jackson, S | INJURED |
| Jonathan Greenard, LB | INJURED |
| Joshua Metellus, S | INJURED |
The Seahawks are in second place in the NFC West behind the 9-2 Rams and one-half game ahead of the 49ers. To have a chance at the division title, they need to win in Week 13 against the Vikings and Week 14 against the Falcons. They face the Rams again in Week 16.
Darnold rebounded from a horrific performance against the Rams by completing 16 of 24 passes for 244 yards against the Titans.
He has a 106.2 passer rating, 19 TD passes against 10 interceptions. He's proving that his numbers for the Vikings in 2024 were not a fluke.
#Seahawks QB Sam Darnold on if returning to Minnesota last offseason was a viable option:
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 28, 2025
“It was just understanding what was being talked about behind closed doors with the people over there and my people. At the end the day I made the decision to come here and I’m very, very… pic.twitter.com/C9whzlPFoJ
They are third in the league in points per game and seventh in points allowed per game. Their takeaway differential is -7, 28th in the league, but much of that is due to Darnold's 4-pick performance against LA.
Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has blossomed into a superstar, leading the league in receiving yards at 1,313. On defense, they have amassed 36 sacks, led by Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams with six each.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| George Holani, RB | INJURED |
| Ty Okada, S | INJURED |
| Chazz Surratt, LB | INJURED |
| Ryan Mills, DT | INJURED |
In Week 13 Vikings-Seahawks, the argument could be made that Minnesota is better on the field without McCarthy at the moment. A break for the struggling rookie could be a positive, though no one wanted him to suffer a concussion.
The Seahawks need to take advantage of the rookie QB Brosmer and the disappointing Vikings to keep pace with the Rams as they prepare for the home stretch, trying to win the division title.
The point spread, currently at 11.5, is extreme. Minnesota will keep the score within that range.
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Pick
Minnesota Vikings +11.5
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