Tonight's "Monday Night Football" game is a big one for the NFL playoff picture. The Seahawks, who will host the Vikings in a game scheduled to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, have a chance to steal the NFC West lead and jump from the No. 5 seed to the No. 1 seed in the NFC postseason standings.
Minnesota with a win Monday night would not jump Green Bay in its division, but it would be a key win for a Vikings team that's just half a game behind the Packers and playing with confidence despite entering its Week 13 game as a three-point road underdog.
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The Seahawks are favorites Monday night primarily because of Russell Wilson, the first quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to a winning record in each of his first eight seasons. If the Vikings pull off the upset, it likely will be because their QB continued his hot streak.
Kirk Cousins has 12 touchdowns and no picks for a passer rating of 120.8 in his last five games. He'll miss the still-injured Adam Thielen in Seattle, but the QB will benefit from the availability of Stefon Diggs, who went for 121 yards and a score in the Vikings' last outing.
Below is all you need to know about Week 13's Monday night game between the Seahawks and Vikings, including the kickoff time and TV channel.
Who plays on Monday Night Football tonight?
- Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
- Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m. ET
In our NFL Week 13 picks against the spread and straight-up predictions, Sporting News is split on Monday night's game in Seattle. Below are the explanations for each pick.
Pick against the spread: The Vikings were dominated in last season's Monday night December trip to Seattle, 21-7. Kirk Cousins and the offense are performing much better now and are coming off their bye. Cousins has come up big in big games, including on the road this season. But that's longer been part of Wilson's DNA. All other signs will point to Seattle losing this game, but his buying time to fire the ball downfield against an overrated secondary will make the difference late. Pick: Seahawks win 27-24 and cover the spread.
Straight-up prediction: Week 13 ends with a dandy of a toss-up between NFC playoff contenders, and depending on what happens elsewhere in the NFL on Sunday, the winner of this game might have a chance to take a major leap in the playoff picture. The Seahawks have a couple advantages as the home team with the better quarterback, but the Vikings, healthier coming out of their bye week, have advantages virtually everywhere else. Dalvin Cook will frustrate Seattle's defense, and Kirk Cousins will earn another prime-time win on the road. Pick: Vikings 24, Seahawks 20.
MORE: Full betting preview for Seahawks vs. Vikings
What channel is Monday Night Football on?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app
ESPN (and ABC) has been the home for "Monday Night Football" since its inception in 1970. You can find a live stream for MNF games at ESPN.com or by downloading the ESPN app .
Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland will have the call from the booth. McFarland was a sideline analyst last year, but moved into the booth when Jason Witten returned to the Dallas Cowboys following a stint in broadcasting that was not particularly well-received.
Lisa Salters returns for her eighth season as sideline reporter, and John Perry is the crew's new officiating analyst for 2019.
Monday Night Football schedule 2019
| Week 1 | Sept. 9 | Texans at Saints (7 p.m. ET) |
| Sept. 9 | Broncos at Raiders (10:15 p.m. ET) | |
| Week 2 | Sept. 16 | Browns at Jets |
| Week 3 | Sept. 23 | Bears at Redskins |
| Week 4 | Sept. 30 | Bengals at Steelers |
| Week 5 | Oct. 7 | Browns at 49ers |
| Week 6 | Oct. 14 | Lions at Packers |
| Week 7 | Oct. 21 | Patriots at Jets |
| Week 8 | Oct. 28 | Dolphins at Steelers |
| Week 9 | Nov. 4 | Cowboys at Giants |
| Week 10 | Nov. 11 | Seahawks at 49ers |
| Week 11 | Nov. 18 | Chiefs at Chargers |
| Week 12 | Nov. 25 | Ravens at Rams |
| Week 13 | Dec. 2 | Vikings at Seahawks |
| Week 14 | Dec. 9 | Giants at Eagles |
| Week 15 | Dec. 16 | Colts at Saints |
| Week 16 | Dec. 23 | Packers at Vikings |