10-15-2021, 01:54 PM
It’s funny how things change. A couple weeks ago, this game scared the hell out of me. Now, it looks like Sam Darnold is who we thought he was, and without CMC, that’s not much.
What I like: Panthers offensive line v. Vikings pass rush.
The Panthers, after pursuing but losing out on both Matt Stafford and Deshaun Watson, signed Sam Darnold. Then, with the 8th pick in the draft, with Rashawn Slater, Justin Fields and Mac Jones on the board, they passed on all three to take CB Jaycee Horn, who is likely out for the year with a broken foot. It’s understandable to pass on the QBs after signing Sam Darnold, but you have to protect him, and they can’t. Meanwhile, Rashawn Slater has been terrific in San Diego. Panthers have very good RT Taylor Moton playing LT and rookie LT Brady Christensen, who graded out with a damn-near Dozier like 45.2 last week, playing RT. Paradis is league average in the middle. The guards are garbage. Hunter and company will get to Darnold a lot in this game.
What I don’t like: Vikings passing game v. Carolina pass defense
If the Panthers defense has a vulnerability, it’s stopping the run, especially since they will be without leading tackler, LB Shaq Thompson. So I think this will be a game where we run the ball a lot, much to the chagrin of conservative-offense-hating Viking fans everywhere. But that’s probably how we win this game. Because, while their run defense is middle of the pack, the Panthers are a top 5 pass defense, and number one in the NFL on 3rd down. I don’t see us having great success in the air, especially with Thielen and Jefferson hurting.
It won’t be fun or pretty, but Vikings win a ball-control game.
Vikings 20 Panthers 10
What I like: Panthers offensive line v. Vikings pass rush.
The Panthers, after pursuing but losing out on both Matt Stafford and Deshaun Watson, signed Sam Darnold. Then, with the 8th pick in the draft, with Rashawn Slater, Justin Fields and Mac Jones on the board, they passed on all three to take CB Jaycee Horn, who is likely out for the year with a broken foot. It’s understandable to pass on the QBs after signing Sam Darnold, but you have to protect him, and they can’t. Meanwhile, Rashawn Slater has been terrific in San Diego. Panthers have very good RT Taylor Moton playing LT and rookie LT Brady Christensen, who graded out with a damn-near Dozier like 45.2 last week, playing RT. Paradis is league average in the middle. The guards are garbage. Hunter and company will get to Darnold a lot in this game.
What I don’t like: Vikings passing game v. Carolina pass defense
If the Panthers defense has a vulnerability, it’s stopping the run, especially since they will be without leading tackler, LB Shaq Thompson. So I think this will be a game where we run the ball a lot, much to the chagrin of conservative-offense-hating Viking fans everywhere. But that’s probably how we win this game. Because, while their run defense is middle of the pack, the Panthers are a top 5 pass defense, and number one in the NFL on 3rd down. I don’t see us having great success in the air, especially with Thielen and Jefferson hurting.
It won’t be fun or pretty, but Vikings win a ball-control game.
Vikings 20 Panthers 10
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