After a big win over the Falcons in a playoff like atmosphere, the Vikings find themselves atop the NFC with a 10-2 record. While that is certainly worth celebrating, the Vikings find themselves in another big game this week as they head to Charlotte to take on the 8-4 Panthers.
Let’s take a look at how the rosters compare.
Quarterback
Cam Newton vs Case Keenum. In the past five games, Newton has passed for over 200 yards only once, but holds a 7:1 touchdown to interception ratio during this period. He has been playing some of his best football lately; his mobility and size in and out of the pocket make him tough to bring down. However, Keenum has been as good as any quarterback in the NFL since Week eight, sporting a 11:3 touchdown to interception ratio during this time.
Edge: Vikings. Keenum has been as hot as any quarterback lately and Newton has struggled against Mike Zimmer defenses.
Running Back
The way the Panthers and Vikings use their running backs is similar. Jonathon Stewart and Latavius Murray are both tough runners in between the tackles that grind for every yard. Christian McCaffrey and Jerick McKinnon both are used as receiving threats out of the backfield that have been creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
Edge: Vikings. The combination of Murray and McKinnon has outplayed the Panthers duo and I expect it to happen again, especially the way Carolina has struggled against the running game recently.
Wide Receiver
The combination of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs has been electric this season and I do not expect it to change against the young Panthers secondary. The Panthers have one of the best defenses in the league, but nobody has found a way to completely shut down Thielen and Diggs. Conversely, for the Panthers, the main weapon here is Devin Funchess. Since the Kelvin Benjamin trade, Funchess has been given the keys as the number one receiver on the team and he has flourished in this role. In his past four games, Funchess has 21 catches for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
Edge: Vikings. Thielen and Diggs have been arguably the best duo in the NFL so it’s hard to pick against them. I expect Funchess to have Xavier Rhodes shadow him all game.
Tight End
For the Vikings, Kyle Rudolph has been very involved in the passing game, catching at least four passes in each of his last eight games. In his past two games, he has three receiving touchdowns as he’s been Keenum’s top option in the red zone. For the Panthers, Greg Olsen re-injured his foot in his return two weeks ago and missed last weeks game against the Saints. Behind Olsen is Ed Dickson, who’s production has significantly fell off since his big week four and five games.
Edge: Vikings. If Olsen had been healthy all year, I would tend to go Panthers here. However, with the way Rudolph has played and Olsen’s health and status still up in the air, the safe play is Rudolph here.
Offensive Line
Both the Vikings and Panthers feature good offensive lines in this matchup. Minnesota’s offensive line got beaten up a little in Atlanta from their skilled young pass rushers, but still gave Keenum ample time to pick apart the defense in the second half. The Panthers still sport a good offensive line but feature ex-Viking Matt Kalil and Darryl Williams who have been liabilities in pass protection.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
Edge: Vikings. The Vikings offensive line has been one of the best in the NFL this season and the Panthers have really struggled against the Vikings defensive line the last two matchups between these teams.
Defensive Line
Once again, both teams here feature very good offensive lines in this matchup. For the Panthers, they are lead by Mario Addison and Julius Peppers with 8.5 sacks apiece. For the Vikings, they are lead by Everson Griffin with 12 sacks and Danielle Hunter with six.
Edge: Vikings. The Panthers actually have four more sacks on the season than the Vikings, but the Panthers will be faced having Matt Kalil trying to stop Griffin. I think we know how that will go. Advantage Vikings.
Linebacker
In a battle of two teams with great defenses, the linebacking trio is another group that is a close call here. The Panthers’ trio of Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, and Shaq Thompson is one of the NFL’s best. They have combined for 197 tackles on the season. For the Vikings, the trio of Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, and Ben Gedeon is how they start games and have combined for 171 tackles this season.
Edge: Panthers. When Kuechly is healthy, I think he is the best linebacker in football. Kendricks and Barr definitely hold their own, but in a very close call, I give the Panthers the advantage here.
Defensive Back
Although Xavier Rhodes may have not “shut down” Julio Jones last week, he held him to two catches and made life difficult for him. He seems to be at his best against the best and Devin Funchess will be a matchup of strength on strength. With weekly-improving play from Trae Waynes, Mackenzie Alexander and the ageless Terrance Newman, the Vikings’ secondary have been a reason why they are a top five defense this year. Combine that with Harrison Smith and Andrew Sendejo’s play and you understand why points are hard to come by against this unit.
Edge: Vikings. The Panthers have some very good defensive backs in Kurt Coleman, James Bradberry, and ex-Viking Captain Munnerlyn, but this Vikings unit is just better.
Special Teams
Graham Gano has been a weapon this season for the Panthers, as he has only missed one field goal. Kai Forbath has gone 24 for 28 this season, along with five missed extra points. Marcus Sherels handles the punt and kick return duties and has been solid there this season.
Edge: Panthers. This is a close one, but Gano and this unit has been a little more of a sure thing these past few weeks. Forbath and the interior Vikings special teams blocking struggled mightily during the Lions game on Thanksgiving Day.
Final Score
I think this has the making of a grind it out, tough game for both teams. I think it will be close at halftime, but the Vikings start to pull away in the second half. The edge goes to the Vikings here in a game that doesn’t look as tough as the final score indicates.
Prediction: Vikings 28, Panthers 17
- NFL 2022: Football Food For Thought (Wild Card Weekend)
- Giants at Vikings: Playoff Preview and Prediction
- NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Wild Card Weekend
- Listing The Best Possible Super Bowl LVII Matchups
- Giants at Vikings: Preview and Prediction
-Anthony Talanca writes for Full Press Vikings follow him @atalanca and follow @FPC_Vikings.
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
-
Episode 80 Criss Partee discusses NBA trade rumorsby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 6:25 am
-
Ep. 261: Nashville Elite Owner Tahnesia Richmondby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Monday, January 30thby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:38 pm
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowlby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
-
Hawks at Blazersby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 10:30 pm
-
Raptors at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 9:30 pm
-
Pistons at Mavsby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 8:30 pm
-
Wizards at Spursby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Baylor at Texasby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm