Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle (FieldTurf, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Seahawks by 4
Forecast: high-50s projected at kickoff; light rain likely (it is Seattle, after all)
Records: Seahawks (Overall: 4-4, NFC West: 0-3); Vikings (Overall: 5-3, NFC North: 1-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 22, 2009: Vikings 35, Seahawks 9; Oct. 22, 2006: Patriots 31, Seahawks 13. Series record: Seahawks lead 6-5.
What matters: Home-field advantage and staying in the playoff race. "Home sweet home" should probably be the Seahawks motto. Seattle is 3-0 at home, but only 1-4 on the road. If the Seahawks want to stay in the crowded NFC playoff picture, they need to hold serve at home against the Vikings, who are currently one game ahead of Seattle and slotted into the No. 5 seed. Seattle is currently No. 8 in the NFC.
Who matters: The Seahawks defense. The defense was shredded last week by Detroit QB Matthew Stafford to the tune of 352 yards and three touchdowns. After looking almost invincible all season, it was a disheartening performance by the NFL's fifth ranked defense. Playing the Vikings and QB Christian Ponder could be exactly what the defense needs to get its mojo back. Ponder has thrown seven interceptions in Minnesota's last four games.
Key matchups: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson vs. the Seahawks defense. Remember those Ponder interceptions we just referenced? Well, they might not matter if the Vikings just give the ball to Peterson the entire game. If the Seahawks are going to win Sunday, they're going to need to slow down Peterson, who leads the NFL in rushing with 775 yards. If any defense can slow down Peterson though, it's the Seahawks and their fifth-ranked rush defense that has only surrendered 84.9 yards per game this season. Only one running back has gone over the 100-yard mark on Seattle this year -- the 49ers' Frank Gore. Peterson has crossed the century mark three times in eight games for Minnesota.
Injuries of note: WR Braylon Edwards (knee) and DT Jason Jones will miss their second straight game. Although Edwards will be out, the Seahawks are expecting to have WR Doug Baldwin back. Baldwin (ankle) was inactive for last week's loss to Detroit and is listed as probable for Sunday.
Inside stuff: It's been just over a decade since the Seahawks' last home win over the Vikings. Seattle hasn't beaten Minnesota at home since Sept. 29, 2002.
Inside stuff 2: Including his college career, Vikings QB Christian Ponder has never played a game in the pacific time zone. Ponder played in the mountain time zone twice while at Florida State, but that's as far west as Ponder has ever made it.
Connections: WR Sidney Rice might have a few friends in purple on Sunday. Rice played for the Vikings from 2007-10. Rice's offensive coordinator while he was in Minnesota was Darrell Bevel, who, like Rice, joined the Seahawks before the 2011 season. Former Seahawks TE John Carlson (2008-11) plays for the Vikings, but he won't be in uniform Sunday due to a concussion.
Stat you should know: If you're a three-yards and a cloud of dust type of football fan, then you'll probably enjoy Sunday's game as it will feature the NFL's top two rushers in Minnesota's Adrian Peterson (775 yards) and Marshawn Lynch (757).
Looking ahead: The Seahawks' homestand continues next week with a game against the Jets. Seattle then has a bye in Week 11. An undefeated November -- the Seahawks also play at Miami in Week 12 -- isn't out of the question and would put Seattle in good shape heading into the final month of the season.
Prediction: Seahawks 19, Vikings 17
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Seahawks blogger John Breech follow @JohnBreech and @CBSSeahawks.
