Around the NFL.....Previews,Injuries.Etc,Etc.

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Seattle at Minnesota

When: 1:05 PM ET, Sunday, January 10, 2016
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Minnesota Vikings absorbed their worst loss of the season to Seattle just over a month ago and now must figure out a way to turn the tables when they host the Seahawks in an NFC wild-card game on Sunday afternoon. The Vikings may get an assist from the weather, with temperatures at game time expected to be near zero with a wind chill of minus-20 degrees.

"The first thing is, we need our fans to make it an advantage for us," Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer said of the frigid forecast. The Vikings were limited to 125 total yards by Seattle in a 38-7 mauling on Dec. 6, but they recovered to win their final three games to secure the NFC North title and No. 3 seed. The Seahawks, who are coming off back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, closed the season by winning six of their last seven games. Sixth-seeded Seattle also has won five in a row on the road while surrendering a total of 34 points in that span.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Seahawks -5. O/U: 39.5

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (10-6): Quarterback Russell Wilson has been brilliant during Seattle's 6-1 run with 24 touchdown passes and only one interception, and he burned the Vikings by throwing for 274 yards and three scores while rushing for 51 yards. While Doug Baldwin has been Wilson's top target with 11 TD receptions in his last six games, the buzz in Seattle revolves around the availability of running back Marshawn Lynch, who returned to practice for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery on Nov. 25. The Seahawks rank No. 1 against the run and led the league in scoring defense (17.3 points per game).

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (11-5): Minnesota fell into a 21-0 hole in last month's meeting and was forced to abandon the run, leaving NFL leading rusher Adrian Peterson grousing about his role after receiving only eight carries for 18 yards. Expect that number of rushing attempts to increase dramatically as the Vikings look to alleviate pressure on second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who was sacked four times and held to 118 yards by the Seahawks. Minnesota's defense was ravaged by injury in the first meeting but has permitted only 43 points during the three-game winning streak and allowed 18.9 points per contest.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wilson, the league leader in passer rating, is the first QB in history to amass at least 30 TD passes, 4,000 yards passing and 500 yards rushing in a season.

2. Peterson, who tied for the NFL lead with 11 rushing touchdowns, has run for 367 yards and five TDs in four playoff games.

3. Lynch can join Emmitt Smith and Terrell Davis as the only players with seven 100-yard rushing games in the postseason.


ATS Trends


Seattle
•Seahawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
• Seahawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Seahawks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
• Seahawks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
• Seahawks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
• Seahawks are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
• Seahawks are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 road games.
• Seahawks are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Seahawks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in January.
• Seahawks are 39-18-2 ATS in their last 59 games on fieldturf.

Minnesota
•Vikings are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Vikings are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
• Vikings are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games following a straight up win.
• Vikings are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Vikings are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff home games.
• Vikings are 7-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• Vikings are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 home games.
• Vikings are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 games following a ATS win.
• Vikings are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
• Vikings are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
• Vikings are 20-8 ATS in their last 28 vs. NFC.
• Vikings are 20-8 ATS in their last 28 games on fieldturf.
• Vikings are 36-17 ATS in their last 53 games overall.


OU Trends


Seattle
•Under is 4-0 in Seahawks last 4 games overall.
• Over is 4-0 in Seahawks last 4 playoff games.
• Under is 8-1 in Seahawks last 9 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points.
• Over is 5-1 in Seahawks last 6 playoff road games.
• Under is 5-1 in Seahawks last 6 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
• Over is 5-1 in Seahawks last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 4-1 in Seahawks last 5 road games.
• Under is 5-2 iArd Seahawks last 7 games following a ATS win.


Minnesota
•Under is 4-0 in Vikings last 4 Wildcard games.
• Under is 4-0 in Vikings last 4 games in January.
• Under is 3-0-1 in Vikings last 4 playoff home games.
• Under is 9-1-1 in Vikings last 11 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
• Under is 9-1 in Vikings last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 6-1-1 in Vikings last 8 playoff games.
• Under is 5-1 in Vikings last 6 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Over is 9-2 in Vikings last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Under is 4-1 in Vikings last 5 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
• Under is 8-2 in Vikings last 10 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
• Under is 12-4-1 in Vikings last 17 games overall.
• Under is 10-4 in Vikings last 14 vs. NFC.
• Under is 7-3-1 in Vikings last 11 games following a straight up win.



Head to Head

•Favorite is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
• Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Preview: Green Bay at Washington[/h]

[h=3]ATS Trends[/h]

Green Bay

Packers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff road games. Packers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Packers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 150 yards passing in their previous game. Packers are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game. Packers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Packers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 playoff games. Packers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games. Packers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games on grass. Packers are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.

Washington

Redskins are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. Redskins are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC. Redskins are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on grass. Redskins are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games. Redskins are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game. Redskins are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Redskins are 6-15 ATS in their last 21 games following a ATS win.

[h=3]OU Trends[/h]

Green Bay

Under is 4-0 in Packers last 4 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Under is 6-1 in Packers last 7 vs. NFC. Under is 5-1 in Packers last 6 games on grass. Under is 4-1 in Packers last 5 Wildcard games. Under is 4-1 in Packers last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Under is 4-1 in Packers last 5 vs. a team with a winning record. Under is 10-3 in Packers last 13 games overall. Over is 5-2 in Packers last 7 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game. Over is 7-3 in Packers last 10 playoff road games. Under is 7-3 in Packers last 10 games following a ATS loss. Over is 41-18-1 in Packers last 60 games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.

Washington

Over is 4-0 in Redskins last 4 games overall. Over is 11-2 in Redskins last 13 games following a ATS win. Under is 5-1 in Redskins last 6 playoff games. Over is 4-1 in Redskins last 5 games following a straight up win. Over is 4-1 in Redskins last 5 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Redskins last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Over is 6-2 in Redskins last 8 games on grass. Over is 6-2 in Redskins last 8 vs. NFC. Over is 27-11-1 in Redskins last 39 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.

[h=3]Head to Head[/h]

Packers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings. Favorite is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings. Home team is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Green Bay at Washington

When: 4:40 PM ET, Sunday, January 10, 2016
Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland




The Washington Redskins faced an uphill battle to make the playoffs for much of the season, but they are on a roll heading into Sunday's wild-card matchup against the visiting Green Bay Packers. The Redskins did not climb above .500 for the first time until Week 16 and did not post consecutive victories until rattling off four straight to close the regular season.

“It’s important to go into the playoffs with some momentum and a rhythm,” Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "It’s crucial to keep that momentum and carry it into what will be the biggest game of the year.” While the fourth-seeded Redskins surged into the postseason, No. 5 Green Bay dropped its final two games to squander the NFC North title and a chance to host a game this weekend. The Packers have been in a bit of a tailspin since a 6-0 start to open the season, dropping six of their last 10 games. “We have to prove to ourselves we can win the big games,” Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "“There’s belief there, but we have to prove it to ourselves."

TV: 4:40 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Packers -1. O/U: 45

ABOUT THE PACKERS (10-6): Rodgers finished with his lowest passer rating (92.7) and completion percentage (60.7) since taking over as the team's starter in 2008 and wound up the season by taking 13 sacks over his last two games in which Green Bay managed a combined 21 points. Rodgers is not getting much help from a ground game that produced 75 yards in last week's home loss to Minnesota, including 34 on 13 carries by Eddie Lacy. Wide receiver Randall Cobb has made 14 catches over the last three games but has turned them into only 92 yards. The defense rebounded from an ugly loss at Arizona to hold Minnesota to 242 yards.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (9-7): With Washington already having locked up the NFC East title, Cousins played only one half in last week's 34-23 victory at Dallas, throwing three scoring passes to give him 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in the last three games. Although tight end Jordan Reed had a relatively quiet season finale with four catches, he was unstoppable in the previous three games with 25 receptions for 333 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Alfred Morris is coming off his first 100-yard performance since Week 1, while Washington's defense has collected 14 sacks over the last three games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Packers have beaten only one team with a winning record at the time they played - a 30-13 victory at Minnesota on Nov. 22.

2. Winners of six of their last seven at home, the Redskins are seeking their first playoff victory since January 2006.

3. Rodgers can become only the seventh QB in history with five 300-yard passing efforts in the postseason.

 

[Greenbacks]

Kirk Cousins has been one of the best quarterbacks in football for much of this season.

 

[Greenbacks]

Stacey, right, and Jennifer arrived at TCF Bank Stadium three hours early for today's game. They're following the Vikings' suggestion to bring cardboard to place under their feet to keep them warm in temperatures that are currently -9. A flattened diaper box was the best they could do.

 

[Greenbacks]

In the first meeting against the Vikings, Seahawks QB Russell Wilson went 12-for-12 for 184 yards and two touchdowns when targeting wide receivers Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett. It will be more difficult to pass the ball in the frigid temperatures, but both receivers will be heard from if the Seahawks are able to pull out a win in Minnesota today.

 

[Greenbacks]

Good morning from Minneapolis, where the current temperature is minus-9. That's not wind chill, by the way. By kickoff at 1 ET, the temperature will soar to minus-2. With the wind, the wind chill will be minus 10 to 15 during the game, per AccuWeather.

 

[Greenbacks]

The Vikings will host their first outdoor playoff game since the 1976 NFC Championship Game when they face the Seahawks today. According to AccuWeather, the high temperature for Minneapolis will be 3º, with a kickoff temperature of -1º.

 

[Greenbacks]

NFL Rushing champ vs the No. 1 Rush Defense.Advantage -- Defense.

 

[Greenbacks]

In the last 15 seasons, 3 postseason games had a kickoff temperature in the single digits:

• 2013 Wild Card, 49ers at Packers: 5°
• 2007 NFC Championship, Giants at Packers: -1°

• 2003 Divisional Playoffs, Titans at Patriots: 4°

 

[Greenbacks]

A couple of early arrivals at TCF Bank Stadium, where the temperature is below zero. Undaunted, these fans are posing by an ice sculpture. Hey, why not?

 

[Greenbacks]

Mind over matter at TCF Bank Stadium. Brunch anyone?

 

[Greenbacks]

This is a good place. Great idea by the Vikings to set up a warming house at the ice hockey arena on the U of Minnesota campus, across from the football stadium. Drink hot coffee and watch a little ice hockey.

 

[Greenbacks]

The pre-game tailgate party outside TCF Stadium, where a fan fest is set up, isn't too popular right now. The emcee on the mic is talking to a crowd of zero.

 

[Greenbacks]

This is how you avoid frozen feet in -9 degrees. Stand on cardboard!

 

[Greenbacks]

Just close your eyes and imagine the beach, Sal Pal.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Coldest playoff games ever!

[/h]
Fans at these games were the real champs.

• 1967 NFL Championship: Cowboys at Packers, -13° (Ice Bowl)
• 1981 AFC Championship: Chargers at Bengals, -9° (Freezer Bowl)

 

[Greenbacks]

AccuWeather now predicting -4 degrees at kickoff in Minneapolis with winds at 5-10 MPH out of the west.That will bring windchills to about -20 degrees. Eat to stay warm!

 

[Greenbacks]

Vikings inactives vs. Seahawks: WR Charles Johnson, LB Brandon Watts, QB Taylor Heinicke, DT Kenrick Ellis, C Nick Easton, T Jeremiah Sirles, DE Zach Moore

 

[Greenbacks]

The Seahawks inactive list is led by RB Marshawn Lynch (injured). Others: CB Tye Smith, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, G Mark Glowinski, C Kristjan Sokoli, TE Luke Wilson and DT A.J. Francis.