Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers: 5 Biggest Storylines

The Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. That game might look like two struggling teams that aren’t worth watching if you only look at the surface, but underneath the surface there is a lot going on. Both teams are still mathematically in playoff contention and have a lot to prove going forward.

Here are the top five storylines for these two teams coming into Sunday’s game:

Carolina is still alive in the NFC South division title race. Let’s face it, the NFC South is TERRIBLE this year. Right now, the top team in that division is the Atlanta Falcons, who have a 4-7 record. Carolina is only one game behind both Atlanta and New Orleans in that division, making the division a very winnable thing for them. The Panthers will have to start winning more though, starting with Sunday’s game at Minnesota.

Oct 12, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (24) salutes as he runs onto the field to play the Detroit Lions at TCF Bank Stadium. The Lions win 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Captain Munnerlyn will play against his former team. The Vikings brought in Captain Munnerlyn to help their struggling secondary during free agency this year. Minnesota has seen immediate results from their secondary this year, vastly improving their pass defense from 31st in the NFL last year to 7th in the league this year so far. Meanwhile, Carolina’s defense is really missing Captain, as their defense is struggling mightily this season.

The Vikings aren’t mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Despite a frustrating 4-7 record, Minnesota could still possibly make the postseason, but they would need a lot of help to get there. Realistically, right now the Vikings are just playing to end the season with a respectable record and show that the team is making progress in their quest to becoming a playoff contender.

Aug 28, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans guard Andy Levitre (67) talks with Minnesota Vikings tackle Mike Remmers (67) after thier game at LP Field. The Vikings won 19-3. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Former Viking Mike Remmers will start for Carolina at right tackle. Most Minnesota fans aren’t very familiar with the name Mike Remmers, but the team claimed him off waivers from the San Diego Chargers in 2013. Since then the two sides have parted ways, but Remmers found a home in Carolina, where he will fill in as the team’s right tackle on Sunday due to an injury to starter David Foucault.

Can Teddy Bridgewater continue to develop at quarterback for the Vikings? It’s been a bumpy road for the young quarterback out of Louisville, but rookie passer Teddy Bridgewater is a smart player who has 3 4th quarter comebacks and two game winning drives so far this year. Still, Minnesota fans are impatient with the growth of Bridgewater, citing struggles in completing deep passes as a major issue for the rookie.

You can watch the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers Sunday at noon central time on FOX.

Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers: 5 Biggest Storylines

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