5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers – Week 12

Playoff hopes for the Minnesota Vikings will be on the line against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12.

After losing to the Dallas Cowboys last week, the margin of error for the Minnesota Vikings to make the playoffs has evaporated. At 4-6, the Vikings will likely need to win out to enter the NFC playoff picture. The quest for an unlikely berth will begin on Sunday afternoon when they host the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers come into Sunday’s game with a 4-7 record, but have a little more optimism in their step. Carolina is coming off a shutout victory over Detroit and will get Teddy Bridgewater back under center in what is a homecoming for the former Vikings’ first-round pick. Even in the midst of a rebuild, the Panthers appear to be on the right track in the first season for Matt Rhule.

Carolina should be a tough test for the Vikings, who dropped a big matchup with the Cowboys last weekend. Although they’ve been able to ride Dalvin Cook to victory in recent weeks, their defense has had ups and downs, picking up three wins after the bye but allowing 400 or more yards in three of their past four games.

In this article, we’ll make our predictions for what could go down on Sunday and whether the Vikings can get a much needed-win to keep their playoff hopes alive.