Kicker Blair Walsh will face his erstwhile team for the first time since getting cut when the Vikings visit the Seahawks on Friday for both teams’ second NFL preseason betting game.
- Date: Friday, 18th August
- Time: 10:05 PM
- Venue: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Sportsbook NFL Preseason Odds:
Vikings +3 (-120) 40 (-110)
Seahawks -3 (EV) 40 (-110)
He could have kicked himself
Walsh was released by the Vikings after missing an extra point in a 26-20 Week 10 loss to the Washington Redskins. The kicker had previously missed four extra points along with four field goal attempts in the first ten weeks of the 2016 season, but that was actually the straw that broke the camel’s back. He landed on his feet, though, signing with the Seahawks in February. Minnesota special teams coordinator Mike Priefer wished Walsh well ahead of Friday’s game. Head coach Mike Zimmer, on the other hand, prefers to focus on players who are actually on the team’s roster, such as cornerback Mackensie Alexander. After struggling in his rookie season, Alexander has improved enough to be expected to take over at nickel back from Captain Munnerlyn. When asked what Alexander was doing differently, Zimmer said, “he listens.” Like that 55-year-old running back who wanted to become the oldest man ever to play Division I football, who was deaf until the age 17 because his ears were full of road dirt. Or probably nothing like that at all. The Vikings gave some work at nickel back to Terence Newman but the spot is all but Alexander’s. Still, Newman could play Friday in place of Trae Waynes, while Jayron Kearse or Antone Exum could take the field in lieu of safety Andrew Sendejo.
Sitting is the new kneeling
NFL preseason betting fans shouldn’t worry about the fact that no team will give Colin Kaepernick the time of day; Kap’s spirit lives on in Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett.
https://twitter.com/DennisTFP/status/896886627099828224
Regardless of how that affects the ‘Hawks’ image, there is no denying that the team looked pretty good on both in Sunday’s 48-17 win over the LA Chargers. Backup quarterback Trevone Boykin and wide receiver Kasen Williams showed some neat chemistry, running backs Thomas Rawls and Eddie Lacy made a cameo, and offensive line coach/assistant head coach Tom Cable was very happy with the offensive line. He said he is “very excited.” And he just can’t hide it. Meanwhile, wide receivers Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett could see some action on Friday, but cornerback Tramaine Brock – whom Seattle signed on Wednesday – remains a question mark. Hey, you ain’t gotta like it, and Seattle Times columnist Larry Stone certainly doesn’t, but the fact remains that with Bennett and Brock onboard there will be controversy aplenty in the Emerald City. Brock’s signing in particular brings back not to pleasant memories of Frank Clark a couple of years back. The Seahawks conducted their own investigation and were satisfied so presumably that settles the matter, though, and we can concentrate on NFL preseason betting.