5 games Vikings fans should watch during Week 15
By Chris Schad
Seattle Seahawks (10-3) at Carolina Panthers (5-8)
Time: 12 p.m. CT, Sunday
Line: Seahawks by 6 points
Playoff Position: Seattle – 5th, Carolina – eliminated
As a result of the Vikings’ loss to Seattle in Week 13, Minnesota finds themselves chasing the Seahawks for playoff position in the final weeks of the regular season. This week, the Seahawks head to Carolina to take on a Panthers team that is in the middle of an identity crisis after firing head coach Ron Rivera and throwing out that franchise quarterback Cam Newton may not be with the team after this year.
The biggest matchup for Seattle will be their running attack, which suffered a major blow when Rashaad Penny tore his ACL last week. That gives the keys to Chris Carson, who has put together a workhorse season with 1,057 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
While many will be focused on the MVP campaign of Russell Wilson, all eyes should be on Carson going up against a Carolina defense that has allowed an NFL-high, 24 rushing touchdowns this season. With the wheels falling off the Carolina machine, Carson should be in for a big day, leaving the Vikings to hope for a sudden case of jet lag.