5 things to know about the Vikings and Panthers for Week 12

What are some stats to know about the Minnesota Vikings matchup with the Carolina Panthers in Week 12?

The Minnesota Vikings cannot continue the embracement of their slim playoff hopes if a loss versus the Carolina Panthers occurs this weekend. The insurance policy has been cashed in. Minnesota was upset during Week 11 by the Dallas Cowboys, 31-28, in a game that had most of the characteristics necessary for a Vikings win — 300+ passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and a 100-yard rusher. Instead, the Vikings defense fledged — again — and the game was handed to the Cowboys late in the fourth quarter.

A would-be 5-5 record reverted to 4-6, which is ordinarily a tough record to circumvent. But this is 2020. Everything is upside down. The NFL added an additional playoff spot to both conferences, and two more may be added if the coronavirus causes games to cancel.

Minnesota will fight to keep postseason hopes alive against the Panthers in Week 12. Carolina possesses a 4-7 record, a similar win-loss to that of the Vikings. Teddy Bridgewater returns home for the first time since 2017 when the Vikings parted ways with the Louisville alumnus in favor of current signal-caller, Kirk Cousins.

Let’s have a look at a few things to know about this matchup between the Vikings and Panthers matchup.