Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers: Prediction, Best Bets, Odds, Depth Charts (10/1/23)

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers kicks off this Sunday at 1:00pm EST in Charlotte as a home game for the Panthers. The Vikings are currently a -4.5 favorite and -200 on the moneyline while the total is set at 46.5. Read on for more Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers best bets and predictions the Vikings look to secure their first win of the year by covering the spread.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction & Best Bet

It was another excruciating loss for the Minnesota Vikings as they drop to 0-3 on the season after a heartbreaking loss to the Chargers. After a successful offensive performance, the Vikings’ undoing was their inability to punch it in one last time near the goal line.

As for the Panthers, a change at quarterback with Andy Dalton coming in while Bryce Young deals with an injury still did them no favors in a loss to the Seahawks. While the offense fared better with a more consistent passing presence under center, their lack of weapons and weak offensive line still held them back as they failed to generate any sort of production over the full course of the game.

The offensive line is especially an issue as this unit ranks an abysmal 29th in PFF grade. They allow opposing defenses to send relentless pressure to the backfield, collapsing the pocket and forcing the quarterback to scramble and throw into tight passing windows. A disastrous result as the Panthers receiving unit is already one of the worst in the league as they fail to create separation in their own routes.

While the Vikings defense is certainly no world beaters, this is an improved unit from last year and are more than capable of giving Dalton fits in the pocket. Expect Danielle Hunter to make a massive impact, collapsing his side of the line and forcing Young to screen towards the other side.

Especially through the air as the Vikings pass attack has been one of the best in the NFL. His connection to Justin Jefferson has done wonders with opening up the rest of the field, allowing Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson to run wild in the gaps in coverage. The Panthers secondary has been decimated by injuries, struggling in coverage and now has to find answers in a pinch against the Vikings receiving trio.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction & Best Bet: Vikings -4

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Odds

With both units looking to secure their first win of the season, oddsmakers lean towards the Vikings favor as they opened them as a -1.5 favorite. Bettors are in the same sentiment, taking them up to as high as -4.5 in some shops. They have advantages on both sides of the ball in this contest, possessing the ability to set a scoring pace that the Panthers cannot keep up with.

As for the total, points are expected to be scored at a moderate pace as oddsmakers opened the number at 44.5. Bettors believe points will come at a quicker pace, taking the number up to 46.5 as of writing. The Vikings should have no issue with picking apart the hobbled Panthers secondary while making it intriguing to see how the Panthers do their part as the far inferior unit.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Key Injuries

As previously mentioned, the Panthers are dealing with injuries to their secondary which will pose a problem against the Vikings pass attack. Their secondary is already hampered with Jaycee Horn on the IR, making it detrimental to see CJ Henderson listed as questionable and Xavier Woods doubtful.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Key Matchups

Can Alexander Mattison ride his momentum against the Panthers defensive line?

Alexander Mattison Vs. Panthers Defensive Line

After a very slow start to the season, Alexander Mattison finally made his presence known by running for 93 yards against the Chargers defensive front. A curious start as he served as one of the better backups behind Dalvin Cook, expecting him to burst onto the scene as their new three down back.

He now gets another opportunity to generate some rushing production in large part to their pass attack. With the Panthers injuries piling up, we may see them sell out to limit the pass by dropping more back in coverage. This should create more gaps for Mattison to exploit, churning out decent sized gains at a time as he gets to a thinned out second level.

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart

QB: Kirk Cousins
RB1: Alexander Mattison
RB2: Ty Chandler
LWR: Justin Jefferson
RWR: Jordan Addison
SWR: KJ Osborn
TE1: TJ Hockenson

Carolina Panthers Depth Chart

QB: Bryce Young
RB1: Miles Sanders
RB2: Chuba Hubbard
LWR: DJ Chark Jr
RWR: Adam Thielen
SWR: Jonathan Mingo
TE1: Hayden Hurst

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