Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers Spread
The Carolina Panthers (2-5) will look to surpass their 2010 win total when they host the Minnesota Vikings (1-6) Sunday.
Odds makers believe the Panthers have the edge. They are currently listed as a three-point favorite with the total set at 47.5.
The Panthers, who finished with the worst record in the NFL in 2010, matched last season’s win total with a 33-20 home win over the Washington Redskins last week.
Rookie quarterback Cam Newton was sensational in the victory. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 256 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed for 59 yards and a score.
Newton has built chemistry with veteran wideout Steve Smith, who torched the Redskins with 143 receiving yards last week.
The Vikings battled back to make it a game against the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers before losing 33-27 last Sunday.
Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder was up and down in his first start as one would expect, but he received plenty of help from star running back Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown.
Ponder completed just 13 of 32 pass attempts for 219 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Three of those completions, including one for a touchdown, went to wide receiver Michael Jenkins, who led the Vikes with 111 receiving yards.
Minnesota could use another big game from Jenkins this week, especially if Percy Harvin isn’t able to go. Minnesota’s top playmaker was forced to leave last week’s game with a rib injury and is currently listed as questionable.
Peterson tweaked his ankle against the Packers but is expected to be ready to go by Sunday. He could be poised for a big game against a Carolina defense that ranks 29th in the NFL with 133.4 rushing yards allowed per game.
Peterson currently leads the NFL with 712 rushing yards.
While Minnesota will look to move the sticks on the ground, Carolina will likely try its luck through the air against a defense that ranks 29th in the league with 274.9 passing yards allowed per game.
Last week, the Vikings allowed Aaron Rodgers, who ranks second in the NFL in passing yards, to throw for 335 yards with three touchdowns and no picks. Things won’t be much easier this week as Newton ranks fourth in the league with 2,103 passing yards.
Minnesota must be able to put some heat on the elusive Newton. Jared Allen, who leads the NFL with 11.5 sacks, will be challenged to slow down the rookie.
These teams have split their last four meetings with Carolina winning the most recent one 26-7 at home on Dec. 20, 2009.
Carolina could have the edge Sunday considering Minnesota is 0-6 against the spread in its last six road games when valued as an underdog of seven points or less.
In regard to the total, the under deserves some consideration. After all, the Panthers are 9-1 under in their last 10 games as a home favorite.
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