Bettors are taking notice of this game. Why? Well, after covering seven games in a row, the Minnesota Vikings are now a downright ridiculous 40-15 against the spread over their last 55 games. Can the Vikings keep extending upon that run when they take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 14 afternoon in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium? On the road this season, Minnesota is 5-1 straight up and 4-2 against the spread whereas the Panthers are currently 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS in the 2017 season. You’re going to want to take action on this one folks!
If the season ended today the Minnesota Vikings would have the number one seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs including the Super Bowl. They come into this game having won eight straight games, and in that stretch they have also covered every one of the spreads. For the Vikings their strength is on the defensive side of the ball. In their last game they held Matt Ryan to one of his lowest passing game totals ever, and the Falcons team as a whole to only nine points.
The biggest surprise this year is how well the offense has played with their third string quarterback, Case Keenum. He has thrown for 2703 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. The defensive side of the ball is the strength of this team, and is arguably the best defense in all of football.
They are currently giving up only 17 points per game. They have made life hard for Cam Newton in the previous match ups, and they need to do that again in this game. They need him to get some happy feet and keep him in the pocket. If they can do that they can probably turn the ball over a few times, and that should help lead the team to a victory.
On the other side of this match up is the Carolina Panthers who are in a very good spot to make the playoffs, but they can’t get comfortable because this is a tight race, and if they have a couple of down weeks, they could be the team missing the playoffs. For the Panthers had one three games in a row before running into a road block last week in the New Orleans Saints. The defense really struggled, and they had a couple of costly turnovers that led to a 31-21 defeat.
For the Panthers their strength this year has been on the defensive side of the ball. They are currently giving up on 19.8 points per game. The defense is going to need to step up in this game and try to get Case Keenum uncomfortable early. They need to try and take away the Vikings screens if they want to win this game.
The offense is going to be key in this game though. They need to find a way to get going against a very good Vikings defense. If they struggle on that side of the ball, they will have a lot of issues winning the game.
Writer’s Prediction
I think that the Vikings are the better team and it will show in this game. The defense will step up in this game and that will lead to the victory. Pick: Minnesota Vikings (-3)
