The Minnesota Vikings (4-6) play host to the Carolina Panthers (3-7-1) on Sunday November 30th.
GAME INFO
Time: noon
Channel: Fox
Announce team: Chris Myers and Ronde Barber with Jen Hale on the sidelines
Las Vegas odds Minnesota by 3
VIKINGS VS PANTHERS SERIES
Minnesota leads series 6-5 with Minnesota having winning 3 of the last 5. The Vikings are 5-3 at home. Carolina came to Minnesota in 2013 and beat the Vikings 35-10. I will add this was the only home game I have missed in my 14 year of being a season ticket holder.
A LOOK AT SOME NUMBERS
Offense yards per game
Minnesota 309 Carolina 327.2
Rush yards per game
Minnesota 116.5 Carolina 96.4
Pass yards per game
Minnesota 192.5 Carolina 230.8
Points given up
Minnesota 244 Carolina 300
Turnover ratio
Minnesota 0 Carolina -2
MINNESOTA VIKINGS FUN FACTS
Blair Walsh kicked his 17th field goal of 50 yards last Sunday vs Green Bay. Walsh is tied for the NFL lead with 5 in 2014. Walsh is now 17-21 in 50 plus yard field goals which equates to 81 percent which is highest in NFL history with at least 20 attempts.
Greg Jennings needs 7 more catches to put him at 540 for his career which would then tie him for 100th in NFL history.
THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
Minnesota is playing in their 2nd straight week at home with one more next week vs the New York Jets. Minnesota is 4-7 and will be favored in both games. The playoff hope is slim but not over. Two wins to put the team at 6-7 definitely will help although much needs to happen around them. I always say anything is possible.
Carolina beat the Vikings badly last season 35-10 so a payback would be nice to watch. This is a game where 2 brothers will face off with Matt Kalil and Ryan Kalil representing each team. Former Vikings quarterback, Joe Webb is 3rd string for Carolina.
Cam Newton is a big quarterback who is tough to bring down. His size needs to be dealt with. I feel he is like an Eddie Lacy type being physical.
The Panthers lost receiver, Steve Smith to free agency. He was a Viking killer so this is nice to know he will not be on the field. The Panthers do have a big receiver for Vikings defensive backs will have to deal with in rookie Kelvin Benjamin.
Panthers have one of the better tight ends in the league as Greg Olsen will need to be watched by the Vikings linebackers.
The running game for the Panthers has DeAngelo Williams starting with Jonathan Stewart as a backup. These 2 have run the ball for the Panthers for a few years and once again this week the Vikes had better be prepared to tackle.
I feel the strength of Carolina’s defense is their linebackers lead by Luke Kuechly, a tackling machine and next to him is Thomas Davis.
The Vikes played the Packers tough last week and I believe this should be some confidence coming into the Panthers game. The Vikes need to play as if a win and they make the playoff mentality.
It comes down to will power with both teams in the same boat. A loss by either team and the season is virtually over.
This is the Sunday where the Vikes do not disappoint their home fans and get the W. The Vikes will win 24-10.
Thanks for reading
Todd Walkingstick
