Panthers vs. Vikings Odds & Predictions
Carolina Panthers (4-7 SU, 6-5 ATS) vs. Minnesota Vikings (4-6 SU, 6-4 ATS)
NFL Football Week 12
Date/Time: Sunday November 29th, 2020. 1:00PM (EST)
Where: U.S. Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN.
TV: FOX
Point Spread: CAR +4.5/MIN -4.5 (Find a Bitcoin Sportsbook)
Over/Under Total: 50.5
Admittedly, I gave the Minnesota Vikings too much credit last week in an expected lay-up against the Dallas Cowboys. Personally, I expected the Vikings’ offense to thrive in one of their best match-ups of the season, which was pretty accurate. RB Dalvin Cook rushed for more than 100 yards and scored a touchdown. QB Kirk Cousins tossed three touchdowns and passed for more than 300 yards. Meanwhile, receivers Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson both had huge afternoons against a vulnerable Cowboys defense. However, what I did not expect is that the Vikings defense would lay an egg allowing the Dallas offense to come to life resulting in an improbable 31-28 loss at home.
The unexpected loss snapped a three-game winning streak and also killed the Vikings’ chances of battling for an NFC wildcard spot as they are now tied with the Detroit Lions, at 4-6 SU, for the last spot in the division. On Sunday, the Vikings will attempt to turn things back in the right direction when they host the Carolina Panthers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The visiting Panthers recently snapped a five-game losing streak with a 20-0 shutout over the Detroit Lions despite the fact both starting QB Teddy Bridgewater and RB Christian McCaffrey were sidelined with injuries. The Panthers have thrived in the underdog role this season, covering the mark in 6 of their last seven games. It would appear the Panthers will have another great opportunity to seek another cover this weekend in a pretty equal to upside match-up. The caveat to that argument surrounds the injuries that have plagued the Panthers all season.
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Panthers Injury Updates for Week 12
I usually don’t like to pay too much attention to injuries when handicapping games as they often get overvalued unless you are dealing with marquee players. For the Panthers, their injury concerns surround the two best players on their roster in QB Teddy Bridgewater and RB Christian McCaffrey. If both players were able to return in week 12, I would push the narrative that the wrong team is likely favored in this game. However, we will probably not know the status of McCaffrey until later in the week. McCaffrey is still recovering from an AC joint injury, and the Panthers have been tight-lipped about his prognosis. McCaffrey has participated in limited fashion in practices, but he will not suit up until he is fully healthy.
Early signs suggest that McCaffrey will likely not be ready for this week’s clash with the Vikings, but again his status will be better known later in the week. The good news is that the Panthers expect Teddy Bridgewater to be back under center on Sunday. Bridgewater was a late scratch last weekend with a knee injury. Bridgewater was actually cleared to play, but the Panthers did not feel he would be at 100%, which allowed rookie P.J. Walker to get his 1st start of the season. Bridgewater should be close to 100% when the Panthers return to the field on Sunday, which is very encouraging for Panthers fans when you consider how Cowboys QB Andy Dalton shredded the Vikings defense last week.
WR Adam Thielen added to COVID-19 reserve
Fresh off his biggest game of the season that featured eight catches for 123 yards with two touchdowns, Vikings WR Adam Thielen is the latest Minnesota player that has been added to the COVID-19 reserve list. The announcement was made on Monday, and it is unclear whether Thielen tested positive or was in close contact with another player that tested positive. As a result, Thielen’s status for Sunday’s match-up with the Panthers remains up in the air. If Thielen does not experience symptoms, he could potentially return for Sunday’s match-up granted he at least pass two additional tests by Sunday.
Panthers vs. Vikings Betting Analysis
From a match-up standpoint, I believe these are two evenly matched teams. RB Dalvin Cook has been on an absolute tear in recent weeks, rushing for 580 yards and six touchdowns in the last six games. With that being said, this Panthers receiving corps is highly underrated as well, which presents a big match-up problem for a Vikings defense that is among the worst in the NFL, allowing 260 yards per game. I expect receivers DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, and Curtis Samuel to make plays and allow the Panthers several scoring opportunities. As long as the Panthers’ defense can be decent against the run, I think the points are a gift in this situation in a match-up that favors Carolina in a lot of ways. Therefore, I will take the points and take my chances this week in hopes that the Panthers defense shows up big for the 2nd straight week.
Panthers vs. Vikings Betting Trends
- The Panthers are 6-3 ATS in the last nine games.
- The Panthers are 1-5 SU in the last six games.
- The Panthers are 1-4 ATS in the last five games on the road.
- The Panthers are 6-1 ATS in the last seven games as underdogs.
- The Vikings are 6-2 ATS in the last eight games.
- The Vikings have hit the “over” in their last six home games.
- The total has hit the “under” in 6 of the last nine meetings between Carolina and Minnesota.
Jay’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Panthers +4.5. Question for you… Why would you lay -110 on games when you could be laying only -105 at BetAnySports? It just doesn’t make “cents”.
