5 things to know about the Vikings and Panthers for Week 12
By Dustin Baker
Carolina throws the football accurately — but for short passes
The Panthers complete over 71 percent of their pass attempts. At first glance, this statistic seems deadly and indefensible. But a deeper dive illustrates context.
While Carolina is the second-most accurate passing team in the league, they rank 14th in yards per pass, 17th in passing yards, and 21st in passing attempts. So, when they throw the football, short passes are on the menu. And, they don’t throw the pigskin too much on the whole.
This aligns with Teddy Bridgewater’s scouting report. In Minnesota, he was never a supreme heaver of the ball, but he was damn efficient. Many Vikings loyalists will remember that Bridgewater was cool under pressure. That quality never fades.
On passing distance, the Vikings and Panthers are opposites. The Vikings rank tops in the NFL in yards per pass (8.6) whereas the Panthers register 7.3 yards per pass. If the previous 11 weeks are any indicator, this Sunday will showcase the Vikings flinging the ball deep with the Panthers keeping things underneath.