Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers NFL Lines
Venue/ Stadium: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Time/Date: 1 PM EST Sunday, October 30, 2011
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Vikings +155 / Panthers -175
Spread (ATS): Panthers -3
Over/Under: 47
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Preview
Cam Newton had another great game last week and the Panthers (2-5) finally put it all together and won, which snapped their 3-game winning streak. Christian Ponder got his first start of his career last week against the packers and after a fast start the Vikings (1-6) still lost, but his play gives Minnesota fans hope. NFL lines have the Panthers as 3.5-point home favorites in this NFC match up with a total of 47.
Last week the Vikings lost to the Packers 33-27 while the Panthers beat my beloved Redskins 33-20.
Newton has sparked a Carolina offense and the Panthers have already scored 2 more TD than they did all of last season. In the win over Washington Newton was 18/23 for 256 yards with 1 TD and he also rushed for a season high 59 yards with a TD. The Vikings have the league’s 29th ranked pass defense and they must try to contain Newton and his main target of Steve Smith (39 rec 818 yards 3 TD), who leads the NFL in receiving yards.
One thing the Vikings have going for them is that they lead the league in sacks (21), but Newton is a running QB that can avoid pressure. Still, getting to Newton is key for the Vikings’ defense this Sunday. Newton has the 2nd most INT (9) in the league, but the Vikes only have 6 picks all season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Jared Allen leads the league in sacks and if he can add to his total the Vikes have a much better chance to win.
The Panthers are also running the ball well ranking 8th in the league in rushing yards per game behind RB’s DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, but they will be facing a Minnesota run defense that ranks 4th in the league.
Ponder was 13/32 for 219 yards with 2 TD and 2 INT last week and he and WR’s Michael Jenkins and Percy Harvin will be going up against a Carolina pass defense that ranks 12th in the league.
One player that is key in this game is Vikings’ RB Adrian Peterson. He had his best game of the season last week rushing for 175 yards with 1 TD and will be facing a struggling Panthers’ run defense that ranks 29th in the league. He and the Minnesota defense will have to get off to a good start, as if they get down early their rookie QB will have to air it out more often for the Vikings to win.
Betting Trends
This season the Vikings are 3-3-1 ATS and have an Over/Under record of 4-3 and the Panthers are 5-2 ATS and have an Over/Under record of 5-2.
The Vikings are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 road games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games facing a team with a losing record, and has an Under record of 6-1 in their last 7 road games.
The Panthers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games, 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite, and has an Under record of 8-1 in their last 9 games as a favorite.
Jason’s Pick: This one is a tough one to call, as I think Newton and Peterson will both have good games. However, the Panthers are at home and I think that gives them the edge, as Carolina will win and cover the 3.5-point spread. With the defensive issues both teams have I would take the Over in this game.
