Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The Minnesota Vikings visit the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in a duel that will focus upon two rookie quarterbacks.

Where: Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.

When: The matchup is at 1:00 PM Eastern.

Watch: FOX.

Listen: The game can be listened to on Sirius Radio XM 94 or on NFL.com.

Spread

The betting line is +3.5 for the Vikings according to bodog.com.

The game is one that involves two rebuilding franchises. What is at stake is the future path of each franchise.

The teams need to get their feet underneath them and realize where the path of their franchises, with the new faces under center, will lead them.

Notable Vikings Injuries

Percy Harvin (Questionable, Rib), Jared Allen (Probable, Personal), Antoine Winfield (Questionable, Neck), EJ Henderson (Probable, Knee).

Notable Panthers Injuries

Darius Butler (Questionable, Personal), Omar Gaither (Knee, Probable), Cam Newton (Illness, Probable), Jordan Pugh (Head, Doubtful).

Top Fantasy Performers

The big fantasy performers for the Vikings are going to be Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder. The two are pivotal to the Vikings' chances for a win.

Big fantasy performances of the Panthers are all focused upon Cam Newton. Newton will have his production high as always due to his ability to run and pass the ball.

Newton also will dictate the production of the next big performer for the Panthers—Steve Smith. Smith is going to have a high impact if Newton links up with him, because he certainly has the ability to pick up a lot of yards after the catch.

Cam Newton has been one of the top-five quarterbacks this season. He must play well for Carolina to get the win.

The matchup, as said earlier, is focused on the quarterbacks. Both teams are more than likely not going to make the playoffs, and both are already looking to the future of the clubs.

The leader behind center is the one player that a team has to build their franchise around.

Cam Newton looks like he will be a superstar in the NFL, while the full potential of Christian Ponder has yet to be seen.

Key to a Vikings Win

Christian Ponder had a great first start against the reigning Super Bowl champion Packers. In the loss, Ponder looked like he was in a groove and did not look like a rookie his first start.

Keys to the win for each team will be which quarterback shows the least amount of inexperience.

Prediction

Carolina Panthers win 28–20.