Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings: Postgame Grades, Notes and Quotes

In their most important game of the season, the Seattle Seahawks cruised to a 38-7 road win against the Minnesota Vikings behind dominant performances from both their offense and defense.

Rookie running back Thomas Rawls ran hard for his fourth 100-yard rushing performance of the season, and quarterback Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes in a game Seattle controlled from the opening kickoff.

Minnesota's defense visibly missed the presence of defensive tackle Linval Joseph and linebacker Anthony Barr. Rawls consistently gashed the middle of the Vikings defense on the ground, while Seattle's receivers proved to be a major mismatch against the Vikings' fourth-ranked pass defense.

But it was the Seahawks defense that was most impressive. Running back Adrian Peterson was held to just 18 yards on eight carries, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was rendered ineffective in a 118-yard passing performance. 

Bridgewater was also picked off by Seahawks safety Earl Thomas late in the first half, making it clear that the Seahawks would not let up on their early two-score lead. 

After Thomas' interception, Wilson threw a 20-yard touchdown strike to wideout Doug Baldwin on the next play to give the Seahawks a 21-0 lead heading into halftime. Baldwin finished the game with 94 yards and two touchdowns.

The rest of the game went just as smoothly for Seattle, as the offense moved the ball at will and the Seahawks defense stifled the Vikings offense.  

A 101-yard kickoff return touchdown by Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in the third quarter is the only thing that saved Minnesota from being shut out on its home field on Sunday. 

The Seahawks are 7-5 and on a three-game winning streak after Sunday's impressive victory. 

Grades

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Quarterback: A. Russell Wilson backed up his career performance against the Steelers with another outstanding effort against the Vikings.

For the fourth straight game, Wilson threw for at least 240 yards. In that same span, Wilson has thrown for 12 touchdowns and just one interception. 

Against Minnesota, he was sharp in both throwing and running the football. His decision-making was equally sharp, and his dominant performance was directly tied to the Seahawks' victory.

Running Backs: A. Thomas Rawls continues to cement his role in this team's offense. He ran through an injury-depleted Vikings defense for 101 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Rawls is quickly becoming a force in the NFL.

Fred Jackson also caught a short touchdown pass. 

Wide Receivers: A. Only two wide receivers—Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett—caught passes for the Seahawks, but they were outstanding when called upon.

In addition to Baldwin's solid day, Lockett ended the game with 90 yards on seven grabs. Both players showed toughness and explosion after the catch.

Tight Ends: B. Luke Willson had two catches for 39 yards, one of which went for 22 yards. He was solid catching the ball in a limited role against the Vikings.

Cooper Helfet had one catch for 13 yards and dropped another pass on third down for which he had plenty of room to run.

Offensive Line: B+. This unit has bounced back nicely in consecutive weeks after being Seattle's most scrutinized position group earlier this season.

Seattle's front five opened huge holes for Rawls and gave Wilson decent pass protection all day long, although he was sacked twice.

Defensive Line: A. Frank Clark had an outstanding day against the Vikings, sacking Bridgewater twice and getting his hand on a couple of passes at the line.

Seattle's defensive line was extremely stout against the run as well. The unit dominated the trenches and set an early tone that lasted the entire game.

Linebackers: A. Bruce Irvin registered a sack and repeatedly met Adrian Peterson at the line of scrimmage. The high-caliber play of this unit tied directly to the defensive line's success.

Defensive Backs: A. Seattle's secondary, like the rest of the team, played lights-out against Minnesota on Sunday. The Vikings' leading pass catcher was Peterson with four receptions, and wideouts Mike Wallace and Stefon Diggs were held to two catches each.

Earl Thomas' interception seals an "A" mark for this group.

Special Teams: B-. Minnesota's only touchdown of the game came on Patterson's 101-yard kickoff return. He ran straight through huge holes left open by the Seahawks special teams.

On the bright side, kicker Steven Hauschka hit on all of his extra-point attempts.

Coaching: A. A coaching staff always deserves a lot of credit in a dominant win like Sunday's.  

The Seahawks have successfully employed aggressive game plans in three straight wins, two of which have been against quality opponents. Pete Carroll and his coaching staff have this ship running in postseason form. 

Seattle's Defense Bounces Back

Jim Mone/Associated Press

A week after surrendering a franchise high in passing yards to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Seahawks defense gave its best effort of the season against Minnesota.

Seattle's run defense was impenetrable on Sunday. Both Peterson and Jerick McKinnon were held to 18 rushing yards each. Throw in the fact that Bridgewater only tossed for 118 yards and a pick, and it's evident that the Seahawks defense was firing on all cylinders in Minnesota.

It's a true testament to how well-coached Seattle is. Five weeks ago, this team was written off by much of the country. Now, the Seahawks are in control in the race for an NFC playoff spot.

In order for them to continue being in control, the defense must keep playing at the same level we saw on Sunday. 

Adrian Peterson, Bobby Wagner and Coach Carroll Sound off

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweeted that Adrian Peterson acknowledged Seattle's dominant effort. 

"They were more aggressive, more physical and they out-coached us as well," Peterson said, via Condotta. 

That aggressive game-planning is crucial to Seattle finishing the regular season strong.  

Since opening up the offense a few weeks ago, the Seahawks have looked close to their Super Bowl selves from previous years. 

The defense has also played aggressive football in three straight weeks, and it's working. Seattle's front seven is playing at its highest level of the season.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner said Sunday's display means that the Seahawks can win every regular season game going forward.

"There's really not a team that can beat us," Wagner said, quoted in another of Condotta's tweets. 

Only one opponent with a winning record is left on the Seahawks' schedule, so they are in prime position to set themselves up for a deep playoff run.

But that one opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, has already convincingly beaten the Seahawks. This Seattle team is playing far better football than it was in Week 10, though.

It will be a whole different game the next time the two teams meet in the regular season finale.

Of course, the Seahawks' offensive revival is a huge reason behind the team's last two statement wins. And at the center of it is a quarterback playing at an extremely high level.

"(Wilson's) doing whatever we're asking him to do," said Coach Carroll, quoted in an article from Seahawks.com. "He's preparing beautifully. He is really dialed in. His connection with his guys, receivers, is really on it."

There's no doubt that Wilson is indeed dialed in. After a third straight game with at least three passing touchdowns, Wilson has now thrown one more touchdown (21) in 2015 than he did all of last season (20). 

Quarterback is arguably the most important position in professional football—and during the past few weeks, there haven't been many others in the NFL playing at a higher level than Wilson.

That has to make the 12th Man feel like another Super Bowl run is cooking.

Ethan is a Seattle Seahawks Game Day Correspondent for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @ebai_today for Seahawks coverage and musings about the NFL.