Benster and D Pick Your Games---------The Packers Finally Won In Seattle Edition

 While this doesn't erase the 2014 meltdown, seeing the Packers win comfortably in Seattle was very cathartic for me. And the Packers need a win to make sure that they are in the playoffs. 

I'm guessing they can find one.

Meanwhile, the Vikings are in the playoffs thanks to the Packers, and are going into Seattle to face a team that is angry and desperate for a win. The Vikings need this one, especially since they close with the Packers and the Lions. 

Will the Vikings find one?

I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYPPEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work. 

Minnesota Vikings (-3) vs. Seattle Seachickens The Seahawks were in trouble even before Geno Smith went down last week, and fell out of the NFC West lead. Both teams need this one badly. As I indicated before, the Vikings need to win out to have a chance at the top seed in the NFC, and the Seahawks need to win to keep pace in the NFC West race. How healthy Geno is going to be is an open question, and the Vikings haven't had a trademark Vikings Gonna Viking game. The thing is, the Vikings haven't won in Seattle since 2006. That's right, right around the time of the poison pill contract. As much as the Vikings propaganda department at KFAN would like to admit that they are going to catch the Lions, this game is going to be the reason why they won't. Seahawks 31, Vikings 10.

I watched the same game you did last week. Seattle never seriously threatened the Packers during the game. If you believe the Vikings are, at a minimum, the equal of the Packers, you would want to pick the Vikings to win the game. And I think they absolutely meet that threshold. And more. Vikings 31, Seahawks 10.

New Orleans Salary Cap Issues (+14) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Packers played very well for the most part out in Seattle. Props to all of the Packer fans who ended up taking over the stands and creating Lambeau West. The Saints are a scuffling team who are going to be banged up. That being said, this won't be easy. If you remember a year ago, Jordan Love had to orchestrate an unlikely comeback to help the Packers overcome a 17-0 deficit in the 4th quarter. I think that the Packers are going to win after pulling away in the 4th quarter. I hope I'm wrong, but something about this game is making me nervous. Packers 35, Saints 24.

What makes me nervous is the 14 point spread. You almost never see a spread that high. The Packers are playing very well right now but that spread is designed to draw money one way or the other. If the Packers can rattle Spencer Rattler, they'll win easily. But I do wonder. Packers 31, Saints 20.

Remember, if your family gathering turns into political arguments, watch some football. You will thank me later. Merry Christmas, and enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.