Presented by

NFL Expert Picks: Vikings-Panthers Deemed Toss-Up Game

Oct 14, 2021 at 03:00 PM

Eric Smith

Former Team Reporter

The Vikings hit the road this weekend for a date with the Panthers, with both NFC teams looking for an intra-conference win.

Minnesota is 2-3 while Carolina is 3-2. Kickoff is set for noon (CT).

Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game:

Vikings 27, Panthers 23 — Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com

The Vikings are the new Seahawks: They don't play normal games. A trip to Carolina should continue the trend in a contest between two teams creeping toward the NFL's middle. The Panthers offensive line looks a little worse each week, and the excellent Vikings pass-rush tandem of Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen should create some of the fumbles, sacks and interceptions marring Sam Darnold's year. Minnesota's zone-running scheme also can slow down The Snow Patrol's blitz package, with Carolina looking soft on the edges in back-to-back weeks.

Vikings 25, Panthers 21 — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

The Vikings will be on the road for the first time since Week 2. They won two of three home games, but they haven't exactly lit it up. Carolina lost a tough one at home to the Eagles last week. The matchup of the Minnesota offense against the Carolina defense will decide this, and I think the Vikings will get the best of it.

Vikings 23, Panthers 20 — Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

The Vikings are a little underrated at 2-3 and the Panthers have proved to be inflated at 3-2. Minnesota will do what's needed to beat Carolina; stick with the run and create favorable passing opportunities off that to help neutralize a strong pass rush. Let's hope we get a healthy rushing duel between Dalvin Cook and Christian McCaffrey, but eventually it comes down to which QB will be less efficient and make more mistakes between Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold. Trust in Cousins not forcing the ball downfield as much as Darnold.

Vikings 24, Panthers 20 — Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk

The Vikings have been better than their record suggests and the Panthers have been worse.

Vikings 27, Panthers 21 — Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk

This one may come down to whether Christian McCaffrey can play. Even if he can, defenses seem to be catching up with Sam Darnold in the Joe Brady offense.

Panthers 24, Vikings 21 — Staff, Bleacher Report

Our picks for Sunday's tilt between the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers were originally split evenly before Davenport jumped to the increasingly healthy Panthers just as the line swung away from Carolina (who opened as a small favorite).

Now it's not far from the pick 'em range, and another slim majority is backing the team that has a better record and is getting points at home.