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

Spencer Suckow:

Vikings win 17-13

This season, Case Keenum and the Minnesota Vikings’ offense has consistently given performances ranging from solid to spectacular and the team’s defense has been flat-out dominant at times against some of the NFL’s best offenses.

With that being said, both units will face tough challenges this week against a Carolina Panthers team that’s still very much in the hunt for the NFC South championship.

Minnesota Vikings

Led by a ferocious front seven featuring All-Pro level players like linebacker Luke Kuechly, defensive tackle Kawaan Short, and others, the Panthers boast a stout defense that currently ranks sixth in total yards allowed per game. Additionally, Carolina is in the top seven in both passing and rushing yards per game allowed.

The Panthers’ offense isn’t incredibly explosive, but nonetheless presents quite the challenge in the run-game as Carolina quarterback Cam Newton and running back Jonathan Stewart headline a rushing attack that ranks fifth in the NFL in yards per game.

Just looking at this matchup on paper, it seems likely that another low-scoring affair is in order like the Vikings’ game in Atlanta last week. Both defenses are stout against the run and pass, and both excel at getting to the quarterback (Carolina is slightly better, currently ranking fifth in the league with 34 sacks).

It’s hard to believe that in a matchup of Cam Newton and Case Keenum, I actually prefer the latter.  Newton’s weapons on offense are underwhelming as a whole and the Panthers’ line will continue their struggles in protection.

Next: Vikings Week 14 injury report

Additionally, it’s hard to bet against Keenum with the way that he’s been playing as of late. He’s due for a turnover and he won’t be perfect, but Keenum and the offense will do just enough to squeak by and give the Minnesota their ninth-straight win in a low-scoring affair. What a time to be alive.