Vikings vs Panthers Spreads 2011 NFL Picks Week 8: The Carolina Panthers face the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Oct 30th, as Vikings rookie QB Christian Ponder makes his road debut after a great home showing. The Panthers won their last meeting 26-7, at home, in 2009. NFL oddsmakers have the Panthers as -3.5 point home favorites over the Vikings with the over/under set at 47.5 points. Finish off your NFL Picks Week 8 by getting your bet on the latest Vikings vs Panthers Spreads available now.
Minnesota (1-6, 0-3 V) lost to Green Bay 27-33, at home, in Week 7. Rookie QB Christian Ponder went 13 for 32, but he never looked rattled and finished with 219 yards and two touchdowns. Ponder also ran four times for 31 yards. He found Michael Jenkins for a score with 7:49 left, after a rare three-and-out by the Packers, to cut the lead to six points. He had the ball back with plenty of time to win it before a couple of errant heaves effectively ended the comeback. RB Adrian Peterson helped out by rushing 24 times for 175 yards and a touchdown, while Jared Allen tacked two sacks on his NFL-leading total to give him 11 ½.
The Vikings receiving corps is in disarray right now. Bernard Berrian's departure coupled with the ongoing struggles Percy Harvin is having with sore ribs might leave Jenkins and Aromashodu as the Vikings' top targets. It also will be interesting to learn Wednesday what coach Leslie Frazier expects out of rookie Stephen Burton, promoted from the practice squad Tuesday to fill the roster opening created by Berrian's exit. Christian Ponder sure seemed calm and confident in his first start. That came at home. Now, we'll see how he reacts to making his first road start. The Vikings coaching staff insists it hasn't had to abbreviate the playbook for Ponder, a point they delivered by allowing the rookie to throw long on his first pass versus the Packers.
Carolina (2-5, 2-2 H) beat the Washington Redskins 33-20, at home, in Week 7. QB Cam Newton threw for 256 yards and ran for 59 more. He ran for his seventh touchdown of the season on a 16-yard keeper in the third quarter, tying a record for most rushing scores by a rookie quarterback since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. RB Jonathan Stewart also ran for a third-quarter touchdown as Carolina turned a 9-6 halftime lead into a 17-point margin by midway through the fourth quarter. Panthers kicker Olindo Mare had four field goals, including a 45-yarder.
Cam Newton has passed for 2,103 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 266 yards and seven scores. Plus, he's playing with a swagger rarely seen in a rookie quarterback. Still, the Panthers are three games behind New Orleans in the NFC South for reasons, the biggest being a porous defense. With linebackers Jon Beason (torn Achilles' tendon) and Thomas Davis (torn ACL) both out for the season, the Panthers have had little success stopping the run. They rank 29th in the NFL, allowing 133.4 rushing yards per game. Get $50 in Free NFL Picks here.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Panthers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Panthers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.
Panthers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Vikings are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0.
Vikings are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Vikings are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers
When: Sunday Oct 30th@1:00 PM ET
Pick: Panthers -3.5
Point-Spreads recommends you check the latest NFL Point Spreads before the Vikings vs Panthers game starts.
The Bottom Line: The Vikings can’t match the arm and speed of Cam Newton. Start the 2011 NFL season off right by getting your bet on the latest Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers Spreads available now.
