Seattle @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 17, 2013 ) Minnesota 20, Seattle 41

The Minnesota Vikings have taken advantage of the Green Bay Packers’ struggles to jump on top of the NFC North while the Seattle Seahawks are sneaking into the wild-card race. Both teams will be trying to hold on to those precarious positions when the Seahawks visit the Vikings on Sunday.

The Vikings are one-half game ahead of the Packers in the North but lost the first head-to-head meeting and has a brutal closing stretch that includes trips to Arizona and Green Bay on top of visits from the Seahawks, Chicago and New York Giants. “We’re kind of just trying to get one week at a time and worry about that,” Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer told reporters. “I haven’t really reflected on (our record) too much, to be honest with you.” Minnesota did Seattle a favor last week by beating the Falcons (6-5), who dropped behind the Seahawks in the wild-card standings due to a better winning percentage against conference opponents. Seattle is coming off its most impressive offensive performance of the season in a 39-30 win over Pittsburgh last week but lost starting tight end Jimmy Graham to a season-ending knee injury in the process.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: PK. O/U: 42

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (6-5): Graham, who was acquired from New Orleans in an offseason trade and has struggled to adapt to Seattle's passing game, underwent surgery on a torn patellar tendon on Wednesday and will be out until training camp. “Obviously, you lose one of the best playmakers in football, period," quarterback Russell Wilson told reporters. "You think about Jimmy Graham and what he brings to the table. His fire, his passion to the game, his ability to make catches.” Wilson, who was voted Air Player of the Week at NFL.com after throwing for 345 yards and a career-high five TDs against the Steelers, will target Luke Wilson at the tight end spot the rest of the way.

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (8-3): Minnesota enters the week second in the NFL in points allowed (17.6) and leading the league in rushing yards (146.4) behind Adrian Peterson, who was named FedEX Ground Player of the Week after going for 158 yards and a pair of scores in last week’s 20-10 win over the Falcons. Peterson also was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November and leads the NFL with 1,164 yards on the ground. “It really is about the team,” Zimmer told reporters in reference to Peterson’s success. “I’ve always preached the team and I know they’re not always getting all the catches that they want to get, but they understand we’re pretty good running the football, and they’re a part of it as well.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin has recorded 339 receiving yards and four TDs in his last three games.

2. Minnesota DT Linval Joseph (foot) missed practice this week and is questionable.

3. Seattle RB Thomas Rawls totaled 290 yards and two TDs in the last two games.

PREDICTION: Seahawks 24, Vikings 17