4 sneaky threats the Vikings must contain at the Panthers in Week 6
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players could emerge as sneaky threats for the Minnesota Vikings to contain in Week 6?
After a flurry of injury news on Friday, the Minnesota Vikings are now favorites to secure their second-straight victory at the Carolina Panthers in Week 6 according to the latest odds from WynnBET. All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey will be missing for the third straight game with a hamstring problem, but there was better fortune for Mike Zimmer as Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, and Dalvin Cook don’t carry any sort of designation into the clash.
McCaffrey’s absence will help the Vikings‘ cause. There’s absolutely no doubt about that.
The former first-round pick is arguably the league’s best dual-threat back when healthy. So this will pile even more pressure on quarterback Sam Darnold coming off a three-interception performance against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Carolina boasts a number of players on both sides of the ball that can impact proceedings if left unattended. Here are four sneaky threats the Vikings must contain in Week 6.
Sneaky Threat No. 1
Morgan Fox – DL
Although other individuals on the Panthers’ defense are gaining more praise for their performances, the contribution made by Morgan Fox so far cannot be underestimated. The defensive lineman arrived in free agency from the Los Angeles Rams and has immediately made his presence felt in every aspect of the game to further enhance the dominance of Carolina’s front seven.
Fox has a high motor and uses his body leverage extremely well to generate pressure. The Vikings have been much better across their interior protection of late, although they will have their hands full this weekend with multiple options capable of changing the course of a contest.
Focusing too much on the likes of Brian Burns and Haason Reddick would be foolish, especially considering how influential Fox has been.