Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers: 5 keys to victory
By Adam Carlson
#5: Take what the defense gives up
Everybody loves what Stefon Diggs has been showing so far this year. Leading the league in receiving yards, Diggs should be the top look for quarterback Sam Bradford against a stingy Panthers defense.
Carolina is currently ranked very well when it comes to pass defense. Through 2 weeks, they are only giving up an average of 198 passing yards per game (7th in the league) and a quarterback rating of 66.7 (3rd in the NFL).
The key for the Vikings will be to take what the Panthers give. If that means chipping away with short passes to running back or connecting with crossing routes, that is what Minnesota will need to do. This Carolina defense is too good to lock in on one or two targets.
Bradford is a smart enough quarterback not to make the offense one-dimensional or predictable, but that doesn’t mean he’s afraid to take some shots or let his receiver go get the ball, either. Hopefully, the Vikings QB doesn’t gamble too much, as you don’t want to roll the dice too much against the Carolina Panthers.
Next: Full game-by-game 2016 Vikings season preview
The Minnesota Vikings will have their hands full in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday when they take on the Carolina Panthers. The game will be played at Bank of America Stadium on September 25, 2016 at noon central time, but check your local television listings for availability, as it may not be available on FOX in your area.