Five Questions With 12th Man Rising

Nov 4, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Minnesota 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Mitch Quesada of 12th Man Rising. 12th Man Rising is an excellent source for information about the Seattle Seahawks.  Mitch Quesada is the co-editor and lead writer of the website.  He currently lives in Phoenix and attends the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. As a Sun Devil, he is pursuing his dream of becoming a sportscaster and would love to broadcast either baseball or football for a professional franchise one day.  Here are five questions I asked him:

1) The Vikings and the Seahawks boast two of the best running backs in the NFL.  Which one do you think will have a bigger game on Sunday?

Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Washington Redskins at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

What a great question. It really just depends on whose offensive line can open up the most holes. Marshawn Lynch is on a roll right now, rushing for 125 yards in Week 9 and 145 yards in Week 10, but keep in mind that those are only the second and third time he has reached the century mark this season. I blame that on a poor offensive line that has been riddled with injuries and has struggled to protect both Lynch and quarterback Russell Wilson. Adrian Peterson has also been held in check on occasion (28 yards against the Giants) and erupted as we all know he is capable (140 yards twice this year).

All that being said, I am going to have to say that Peterson will probably have a bigger day because he is relied on more in the Minnesota offense. The Seahawks like letting Wilson throw the ball and scramble if he needs to and Golden Tate is developing into a reliable No. 1 receiver. And, if Percy Harvin makes his return on Sunday, the Seahawks will be throwing, not running. Seattle will also want to take advantage of Minnesota’s secondary, which allows over 285 yards per game, 29th in the NFL. Peterson has a better opportunity to have a big day.

2) Who is on player on the Seahawks team that Minnesota Vikings probably haven’t heard of, but should learn the name of before this game?

Oct 17, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) runs from Seattle Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond (28) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

I’m going to go with Walter Thurmond. He will be taking over at corner back for Brandon Browner until Browner recovers from a groin injury he sustained last week. Thurmond had a great game against Atlanta last Sunday with seven tackles and a forced fumble. When people think of the Legion of Boom, people think Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, but now they need to add Thurmond into that mix. A physical corner in his fourth year out of Oregon, Thurmond will keep up with any receiver the Vikings throw out him and he could help shut down Minnesota’s passing game on Sunday.

3) Do you feel the Vikings defensive line will be able to take advantage of the Seahawks struggling offensive line this week?

Sep 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) and forces a fumble during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

I feel they have every opportunity to. The St. Louis Rams ripped Seattle’s big men up front and nearly upset them on Oct. 28. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also held that line in check en route to taking a 21-0 lead early in that game. The Seahawks offensive line needs to prove that they can hold defenders in check, though facing a line that has Jared Allen on it is easier said than done.

4) The Vikings secondary has been in shambles this year.  Do you believe Russell Wilson will be able to shred them apart through the air?

Nov 3, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

If he chooses to throw the ball, yes. Wilson has only attempted 257 passes this year, 21st in the league. However, he is 7th in the league with 17 touchdowns and 6th in the league in yards per completion (8.3). All of these numbers just mean that he doesn’t throw the ball often but is effective when he does. He has completed over 63 percent of his pass attempts and has done all of this with a wrecked offensive line.

If he sees an opening in the secondary, he will take it and that could certainly spell trouble for the Vikings. I predict Wilson will complete 17 of 23 passes for 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns. But if the Vikings allow him, he could put up even bigger numbers.

5) What is your prediction for an outcome and final score of the game?

Predicting this team has been thoroughly unpredictable. I thought the Seahawks would blow out the Rams and Bucs but they barely won those games. I predicted the Seahawks would have trouble with the 49ers but they blew them out. It’s ridiculous. The Seahawks should beat the Vikings but who knows anything anymore.

Seahawks 30, Vikings 17

Special thanks to Mitch Quesada and 12th Man Rising for taking the time to answer the five questions from The Viking Age.