Minnesota Vikings schedule: full game-by-game preview

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Nov 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the fourth quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 3 at Carolina Panthers (Sunday Sept. 25, 12 PM CT, Fox)

The Vikes follow up their home opener by going on the road to face Cam Newton and the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers. Pretty huge early season conference game, I think it’s safe to say. A week 3 win over Carolina would go a long way toward solidifying the Vikings’ status as big-time contenders.

In 2014, the Vikes whupped the Panthers 31-13 despite being outgained 348 yards to 210. Teddy Bridgewater outplaying Cam Newton was a big reason why Minnesota was able to win that game handily despite being soundly thrashed on the stat sheet.

Two years on, Newton has a Super Bowl appearance under his belt while Bridgewater is at somewhat of a career crossroads. It will be pretty fascinating to see Teddy and Cam match up again, with Cam coming off his huge season and Teddy coming off a year where his critics only became louder.

This will be a good measuring-stick game for the Vikings in more ways than one.

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