Newton Has Posted Brutal Numbers Against Good Defenses

Somehow, some way, the Minnesota Vikings continue to exceed expectations. Sitting atop the NFC North at 10-2 SU, the Vikings will look to add another win to the column when they visit Carolina to take on the Panthers this weekend.

Sportsbook opened the Vikes as 3-point road favorites with a total of 41.

Shark Bites
  • The Panthers are 17-5 SU in their last 22 games in December.
  • The Vikings are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games in December.
  • The Vikings are 8-0 SU and ATS in their last eight games against NFC South teams.

The Panthers endured a shaky start to the season but have rebounded to win four of their last five games with the lone setback coming in Week 13 against a very good New Orleans Saints team. Here’s a troubling stat for bettors of the Panthers: Carolina is 6-0 SU vs teams that rank in the bottom 10 of the league in total defense and 2-4 SU against everyone else.

Minnesota tops the NFL in a litany of defensive categories, so Cam Newton could be in for a long day against the vaunted Vikings defense. Newton has thrown eight interceptions with just seven touchdowns against the better defensive units compared to nine touchdowns and three picks vs bottom-10 defenses. The good news for Carolina is the potential return of tight end Greg Olsen, who’s been limited to four catches in three games in 2017.

Case Keenum wasn’t seen by many around the league as a serviceable starter prior to the beginning of the 2017 season, but he’s proven the doubters wrong in a big way. Even with a healthy Teddy Bridgewater waiting in the wings, Keenum has made it impossible for coach Mike Zimmer to take away his job. The veteran signal-caller has thrown 16 touchdowns for 2,703 yards while turning it over just five times this year and possessing a 67.5 completion percentage and 98.6 quarterback rating.

When the Vikings and Panthers get together, the UNDER is trending. In the past seven meetings between the NFC clubs, the UNDER is 5-2.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Sportsbooks, including Sportsbook, had set the Carolina Panthers as 1-point favorites on the Sportsbook line for this contest. The total was hovering around 42 earlier in the week; check for the current OVER/UNDER lines at Sportsbook.

NFL prediction models run by the computers at OddsShark picked a 23-19 result in favor of the Vikings earlier in the week. Watch matchup reports and the picks page for any changes due to injuries or suspensions this week. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.

Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Minnesota Vikings will try to spoil the party on Sunday; they are 9-3 against the spread this season, while the Carolina Panthers are 7-4-1 ATS. Minnesota is 6-6 on the OVER/UNDER betting totals; Carolina is 7-5. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Carolina vs Minnesota injuries news.

It's a betting matchup between the No. 13-rated Panthers and the No. 8-ranked Vikings, according to the NFL Power Rankings here at OddsShark.

Statistical Matchup

The game also pits Carolina's No. 15-ranked offense, averaging 22.55 PPG, against a Vikings defense that ranks No. 5 this week at 17.73 PPG. The Panthers aerial game is averaging 204 yards per game, less than the Vikings secondary allows through the air, 214.91 YPG per game.

In comparing defenses, the Vikings own the league's No. 5-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 94.67 yards per game when on the road. Carolina, on the other hand, rates No. 1 this week in generating rushing yards at home.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

The Vikings' last action saw them get a 2-TD performance from Case Keenum as they handed Atlanta a 14-9 loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Last time out, Carolina got 2 scoring strikes from Cam Newton in a 31-21 loss against New Orleans.

Betting Trends
  • Minnesota is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
  • Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
  • Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
  • Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
  • Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 7 of Carolina's last 10 games
  • Carolina is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home

Next Betting Matchups

Minnesota home to Cincinnati, Sunday, December 17
Carolina home to Green Bay, Sunday, December 17

The Panthers are 17-5 SU in their last 22 games in December.home The Vikings are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games in December.away The Vikings are 8-0 SU and ATS in their last eight games against NFC South teams.away
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