The Viking Age
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3 reasons the Vikings will beat the Panthers in Week 6

By Adam Carlson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 29: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball in the fourth quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 29: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball in the fourth quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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Everson Griffen – (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

Keeping Carolina drives short

Considering the rough start the Minnesota Vikings had to the 2021 NFL season, it’s a bit shocking that the team has the third-best percentage of stopping opponents’ third-down conversions in the league through the first five weeks at 31.6 percent.

On the other hand, Carolina has been terrible in that regard. They are converting only 38.2 percent of their third-down tries and only score (field goal or touchdown) on the year. This is a huge advantage for Minnesota.

The re-emergence of Everson Griffen combined with the play of guys like Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks, Harrison Smith, and the new faces in Dalvin Tomlinson and Patrick Peterson should have a decent chance at keeping this a low-scoring affair on Sunday.

These struggles are even worse in the third quarter. The team has only scored a point in one of the five games that they have played so far (and that one was against Houston). This would be the perfect opportunity for Minnesota to open a big lead and put the game away.

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