5 Panthers players the Vikings should be most concerned about

Shaq Thompson – LB

The Panthers have a solid group of linebackers and they are led by this stud. This longtime Panther racks up tackles like they are going out of style and will be honed in on shutting down Dalvin Cook so the Vikings‘ offense has to run through quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Shaq Thompson has great overall speed and is about as solid a tackler as there is in the league. He’s already got 84 tackles on the season with four of those coming behind the line of scrimmage. If the Vikings are going to successfully run the football on Sunday they’ll need to get a body on Thompson. Whether that is a tight end cracking down, or CJ Ham leading the way, Thompson has to be neutralized for Cook to bust off some long runs.

Kirk Cousins has thrown some interceptions to linebackers this season, and while Thompson only has one in his career, it is something he needs to be aware of.

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If the ball ends up in Thompson’s mitts he has the speed and ability to bring it back for six. That type of game-changing play could be the difference between a win or a second straight defeat for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.