Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers Betting Preview
Week 6 of the NFL will feature the Minnesota Vikings (2-3) when they head to Carolina to face the Panthers (3-2) at Bank of America Stadium for an NFC showdown.
The Vikings won in thrilling fashion in Week 5, delivering a game-winning field goal as time expired, finishing the Lions 19-17, while the Panthers dropped their second straight to the Eagles 21-18, moving to second place in the NFC South.
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Betting Lines & Odds
BETUS opened the line with the Vikings as the -2 road favorite, with the point total set at 46. You can bet the Vikings -130 moneyline on Bovada and the Panthers +110.
Moneyline: Vikings -130 | Panthers +110
Over/Under: 46 O/U -110
Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview: Vikings defense comes up big
The Vikings delivered their second win of the season in dramatic fashion after Kirk Cousins drove down the field with:30 seconds left as kicker GregJoseph nailed a 54-yarder to defeat the winless Lions.
Cousins is the leader of the offense and is having a solid year in 2021. The veteran quarterback has averaged 279 yards passing and had ten touchdowns to just two interceptions. The offense has a solid offensive line and features a solid tandem in the backfield with Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. With Cook’s status uncertain, the Vikes are in good hands with Mattison, who rushed for 113 yards last week that included a receiving touchdown.
The defense came up big in NFL Week 5, pressuring Jared Goff collecting five total sacks and one interception. The strength of the defense is defending the pass as they are allowing opposing quarterbacks to throw for 238 yards per game. In total, the defense will look to shut down the Panthers after limiting Jared Goff to 203 yards in the air and the Lions to just 311 yards of total offense.
Carolina Panthers Football Team Betting Preview: Panthers Sloppy Play Leads to Two Straight Losses
The Panthers fell to the Eagles last week and dropped their second straight game. They will hope to rebound against the Vikings’ defense that is allowing 21.8 points per game and 130 yards per game on the ground.
The offense has struggled as of late, with Sam Darnold throwing five interceptions in his last two games, including three last week against the Eagles. “We have to come out of the locker room firing,” Darnold said. “We have to execute. We can’t hurt ourselves with penalties and turnovers.”
The Panthers can’t afford to lose with what should be the easier part of their schedule, but the offense has looked mediocre without star running back Christian McCaffrey. The glaring problem on offense has been the offensive line. Sam Darnold is running for his life; the offensive line has given up 11 sacks in their last three games.
Carolina’s defense has been one of their strengths, limiting the Eagles to just two first downs and 88 total yards in the first half. The defensive unit recorded three interceptions against Jalen Hurts, including two big ones by Darius Slay and also two sacks from Haason Redick.
The Panthers also committed some sloppy plays, giving up a blocked punt that led to a go-ahead touchdown four plays later. It’s also important to note the Panthers committed nine penalties that contributed to their loss last Sunday.
Vikings vs Panthers Prediction
Both teams have had their moments so far in 2021, with the Panthers winning the first three games of the season and the Vikings going toe to toe with the Cardinals and the Browns. However, both teams are struggling right now. The Vikings should be 1-4 if it weren’t for a late field goal, and the Panthers have lost two straight after beating the Jets, Texans, and inconsistent Saints.
The experience of the Vikings and the tougher schedule played should give them the advantage this week. The Vikings play tough on the road, losing both of their only road games by a total of three points. I expect this to be another close one, with the Vikings coming out on top. You can take the Vikings on the money line at -130 on Bovada.
Prediction: Vikings ML -130