Panthers -Vikings Discussion

[kermit]

Taking a quick look at some numbers on this game I'm liking Carolina more and more, they are weak against the rush and that will hurt them alot with AP coming to town but I think they can compensate with their own offense and end up out lasting the Viks on offense. Ponder looked good in his debut and should be the future QB of the team but only one decent showing leaves me still skeptical on whether or not he can get it done.

I think Carolina will take the momentum from last weeks win and turn it into a winning streak. Steve Smith is a monster, and even though they dont have AP the 2 back attack of Williams and Stewart is no joke

Defensively these teams dont have alot to write home about except for Jarred Allen who gets to the QB all the time, but the pass coverage and rush defense isnt good enough to make a team one dimensional.

I'm on Carolina to cover and the over on this one final score Carolina 34 Vikings 24

thoughts?

Offensive Comparison

Total Yards Per Game
Viks 328.6

Panthers 416.6

Passing Yards Per Game

Viks 175.6

Panthers 288.4

Rush Yards Per Game

Viks 153.0

Panthers 128.1

Points Per Game

Viks 21.1

Panthers 23.7

Third Down Conversion %

Viks 39.6

Panthers 42.0

Time of Possession


Viks 1735.0

Panthers 1874.0


Defensive Comparison

Viks = First number posted
Panthers = Second Number posted

Total Yards Per Game Allowed

362.7

358.4

Passing Yards Per Game Allowed


274.9

225.0

Rush Yards Per Game Allowed

87.9

133.4

Points Per Game Allowed

25.4

26.1

Third Down Conversion % Allowed

42.6

45.5

[resteasy]

minnesota is 4th against the rush. Panthers are 29th against the rush.
AP will tear it up. That will open up play action which will finally be useful with Ponder under center.
It's a hard game to look at since you can't depend on the first 6 weeks of vikings games to predict the outcome. With the offense more empowered so will the defense pick up some slack.
I think this will be a close and hard fought game and I actually believe Ponder gets his first win.

The thing that carolina has going for them is it's their 2nd home game and a lot of people don't know this but green bay is 31st against the pass. So QB's tend to look good against them this year and may have made ponder look a little better than he really is.
Also, Cam Newton is a beast and with the vikings 29th against the pass he can tear it up. As I mentioned though is the offense does play well I do believe the defense will play better too.

Certainly like the over as well though.

[Gobbler's Knob]

Minny lining up to be my top play this week

[The Nac]

resteasy, you hit the nail on the head.

Mikey, judging their offensive & defensive rankings right now isn't going to help you at all. McNugget has Minny's numbers looking like shit, and I don't feel like that's an accurate reflection of the team with Ponder under center. I'm not saying the guy's the next Elway (go Broncos), and last week may have been just them getting up for their biggest rival. But the Vikes may return to form now. My hunch says they will.

Don't get me wrong. I'm huge on the Panthers bandwagon this year. I LOVE Cam Newton, and am reaping the benefits of having him as my fantasy QB (along with Steve Smith - boom!). I just have to go with my gut - and my gut tells me that the Vikes are the play here.

[kermit]

Good points brought up, Vikes have a chance in this one and the line is right on the money at 3 to the home team...but with the home field advantage and throwing against a weak pass defense I think Carolina comes away with a W and covers the spread against AP and Ponder

[NightCap424]

Too be honest, this could be one of the more entertaining games of the week....two mediocre/bad defenses vs two "big play potential" offenses.

Florida State rookie QB vs Auburn rookie QB.....QB with least amount of mistakes wins the game. AP will probably get 30 carries this week IF healthy.

[The Nac]

The other thing to consider is that Carolina is a very one-dimensional team right now.

Minnesota has an above average run defense.
Carolina has a below average run offense.

This really will be a fun game to watch.

[kermit]

Originally Posted by The Nac

The other thing to consider is that Carolina is a very one-dimensional team right now.

Minnesota has an above average run defense.
Carolina has a below average run offense.

This really will be a fun game to watch.

So true, there are lots of good arguments both ways on this game I think its one of the better matchups this week...this game and the NE PIT game are what I'm anxious to watch