Event of the Day: Seattle Seahawks versus Minnesota Vikings
Our event of the day is the NFL clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. The hosts currently sit in second place in the NFC West after winning their last three games earning them a winning record of 7-5. Meanwhile the Vikings are second in the NFC North with a record of 6-5-1 as they make a late push for a playoff place. Seattle currently boast the best rushing offence in the league and the Vikings will have a tough job on their hands to contain Russell Wilson and his brigade of running backs. They have averaged 148 rushing yards per game and running back Chris Carson has excelled in his second season in the league. He has rushed for 704 yards and scored four touchdowns to boot, however he has had trouble holding onto the ball, fumbling the rock three times already.
This could prove to be the difference between the sides, with the Vikings having forced 20 fumbles already this year. Minnesota have regained the defensive form that saw them reach the Conference Finals last year and have given up 327.8 yards per game which is the sixth best return in the league. They have also impressed on offence, with wide receiver Adam Thielen having a particularly spectacular season. Only Julio Jones has recorded more receiving yards than Thielen, who has also notched nine touchdowns this term. The two sides faced each other in a pre-season game earlier this year, the Vikings edged it, winning 21-20. With the playoffs fast approaching and spots on the line, it should be a thrilling edition of Monday Night Football.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA fixture between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center. The Eastern conference rivals faced each other last week, when the 76ers won a thriller 117-111. The Pistons have lost their last three but did beat the NBA champion Golden State Warriors recently and will be desperate to snap their losing streak in Monday night’s rematch. Elsewhere in the NBA, LeBron James faces one of his former teams as the Miami Heat travel to Los Angeles in search of their third win in a row with a game against the Lakers. There is Premier League action as Everton welcome Watford to Goodison Park where they have lost just once all year. There is action in the cricket as Day 5 of the First Test between Australia and India reaches its’ conclusion, whilst an all-Metropolitan Division clash takes place in the NHL as the Pittsburgh Penguins face the New York Islanders.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by NFL