1:03 pm
November 29

Panthers @ Vikings

Who will WIN this matchup?

Carolina Panthers (4-7)

@ Minnesota Vikings (4-6)

 

Current odds:

Carolina Panthers: (+140)

Minnesota Vikings: (-160)

 

The line for this game is Vikings by 3 points.

The Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings have something in common: Defense is a hot topic for both teams, but for vastly different reasons. The teams collide Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

In a matchup that could focus on Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater — depending on his health status for the game, though by midweek it appeared he would be set to play — the defenses have grabbed the attention. For the Panthers, it’s good news after a shutout in last week’s game. For the Vikings, it’s not so comforting after defensive breakdowns halted the team’s midseason momentum.

The Panthers (4-7) are coming off a 20-0 home victory against the Detroit Lions. That outcome halted a five-game losing streak and produced Carolina’s first shutout in five years.

The Vikings (4-6) must try to recover from a 31-28 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys. That result snapped a three-game winning streak and came at the beginning of a three-game homestand. There were several disturbing developments for the Minnesota defense in last week’s game. The Vikings don’t want to dwell on the youthful components of the defense. “It’s not really about young guys, it’s about going out there and continuing to execute the game plan and what we need to do each individual play,” Harris said.

Bridgewater, a former first-round draft choice of the Vikings, started 28 career games for Minnesota. Bridgewater, who ranks second in the NFL this season with a 72.1 completion percentage, didn’t play last week because of a Nov. 15 knee injury. P.J. Walker filled in and threw his first NFL touchdown pass, though he was intercepted twice in the end zone.

The Vikings will be preparing for the potential that Bridgewater returns to action, although all-pro running back Christian McCaffrey was ruled out on Saturday.

The Panthers are the only team in the league with two players with 800-plus receiving yards. DJ Moore ranks fifth with 863 and Robby Anderson is 10th with 818.

Carolina’s defense, which produced a season-high five sacks in containing the Lions, should be challenged. Minnesota has scored at least 28 points in six games.

The Panthers started five rookies on defense for the Detroit game.

The Vikings have a strong rushing attack, rating sixth in the NFL with 150.7 yards per game. Dalvin Cook heads that group, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for the second season in a row.

Minnesota could be hindered with the potential absence of receiver Adam Thielen, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday. Thielen has 11 of the team’s 20 touchdown receptions, though his status might not be known until the weekend, Zimmer said.

 

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Minnesota Vikings