TVA Predictions: Will it be nine wins in a row for the Vikings after Sunday?

Adam Patrick:

Vikings win 22-7

Last week in their loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Carolina Panthers’ offense struggled to convert on third down and their defense could not keep up with the Saints’ talented running back duo. That is not a good sign for a team about to face the Minnesota Vikings.

This year, the Vikings’s defense is the best in the NFL at stopping opposing offenses on third down and their own running back duo of Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon have averaged 139.5 total yards in the last four games. It looks like Minnesota has very good chance to do something similar to what New Orleans was able to do last week against the Panthers.

There is no reason for the Vikings to not center their offensive game-plan around their rushing attack this week as it has been quite reliable all season long. Murray and McKinnon will, once again, be a key factor in Minnesota getting a win or not this week.

With Mike Zimmer as their head coach, the Vikings’ defense has done well at frustrating Carolina quarterback Cam Newton in their last two meetings. In his two previous games against Minnesota, Newton has completed just 56 percent of his passes, thrown for only 228 yards per matchup, tossed four interceptions and just one touchdown, and been sacked 12 times.

Expect more of the same from Minnesota’s defense as their ferocious pass-rush will feast on Carolina’s offensive line and bring down Newton multiple times for the second-straight season. Watching former Vikings and current Panthers left tackle Matt Kalil try and stop Everson Griffen this Sunday sure is going to be a joy to watch.