Minnesota Vikings look to spoil Panther’s home winning streak

After what can only be described as a tumultuous week, the Minnesota Vikings will attempt to regain their focus when they take on the Carolina Panthers this Sunday.

Breathe in, breathe out, repeat. Whew, it has been one of those weeks for any fan that follows the Minnesota Vikings.

Up next for the Vikings, stopping the Carolina Panthers 14 game home winning streak at Bank of America Stadium.

Mike Zimmer will rally the troops

I cannot think of another coach in the NFL that could handle this type of situation as well as Mike Zimmer. The Minnesota Vikings head coach will not let his team feel sorry for themselves, look for the Vikings to come out swinging versus last year’s NFC champs. Minnesota has the worst running game statically in the NFL at this point, and yet we are still 2-0.

Being unpredictable will be an advantage

Sam Bradford‘s tenure as a Minnesota Viking is just getting started. No one can say with exact certainty how the Viking’ offense will look schematically, it’s hard to game plan for a team when you have no idea what to expect.

In 2014, without Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings were a run-dominant team that played good defense. This time around we have a QB that can make any throw necessary. Not that the Vikings will come out with five wide receivers and spread the ball around, but who knows what the crafty Norv Turner might brew up. Ron Rivera‘s defense will have their hand’s full.

Can T.J. Clemmings hold up

The second year swing tackle will now take over full time for an injured Matt Kalil. T.J. Clemmings struggled a bit last season at right tackle, but he does have one year of experience to draw off of. During the preseason Clemmings played adequately when asked to be Kalil’s fill-in. T.J. is an athletic 6’5, 300 pounder that started all sixteen games for the Vikes in 2015.

Jerick McKinnon is no slouch

One would expect Jerick McKinnon to get the starting nod over Matt Asiata this Sunday. McKinnon had a 5.2 yards per carry average in 2015, and flashed signs of great things to come. Prior to the start of the 2016 season he was labeled as a “sleeper pick” by most NFL analysts, meaning even the experts know what the youngster is capable of. It might not be the ideal situation, but this could be Jerick’s opportunity to show he is more than capable of taking over for Adrian Peterson.

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Can the Vikings defense rattle Cam Newton

There is no denying that Cam Newton is bad man, but even superman has weaknesses. Cam opened the season against the Denver Broncos stingy defense, and failed to record a victory. The Minnesota Vikings might not be at the Broncos level yet, but we are close.

Xavier Rhodes has returned to the practice field this week, and not a moment too soon. Carolina has some fairly massive wide receivers, and the Vikes will need all hands on deck. Perhaps playing two athletic QB’s in a row (Marcus Mariota and Aaron Rodgers) has prepared the Vikings for what is coming Sunday. If we can get to Cam early and often his confidence will be shaken. One can hope Cam will be sulking on the bench with that white towel draped over his head by halftime.

Prediction

Next: Minnesota Vikings: Life after Peterson

Minnesota Vikings win a nail-biter, 21-20.