Vikings (0-3) at Panthers (0-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: Fox
Spread (BetMGM):
Vikings by 3.5
Vikings’ keys to victory: Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson is making an early case for a repeat. With the Panthers missing their top cover man in CB Jaycee Horn, QB Kirk Cousins should have very few problems in exploiting a weakened secondary to find his man. The Minnesota offense would also benefit from holding down OLB Brian Burns, the only consistent threat off the edge for Carolina. Doing so may be the primary duty for Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw, who’ll be tasked with limiting the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher.
Panthers’ keys to victory: Whether it’s Bryce Young or Andy Dalton under center, the Panthers have to carry over some of the success they had through the air against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. Dalton threw for 361 yards on a career-high 58 attempts. WRs Adam Thielen and DJ Chark combined for 231 receiving yards and two touchdowns. What they shouldn’t bring over from that game was their performance on the ground, which resulted in just 44 yards on 14 carries. RB Miles Sanders was particularly off, going for 24 yards on just nine carries.
Matchup to watch: Vikings’ Jefferson vs. Panthers CB CJ Henderson. Henderson and/or Donte Jackson must keep the league’s best wideout at bay for Carolina to have a chance.
Who wins? Neither team seems particularly put together at the moment. Carolina is still going through growing pains while Minnesota is further along.
Vikings 28-24