Today's thoughts before gametime

[LUUUUUKE]

Today will tell us a lot about our football team. Will Shula make the necessary adjustments to prevent the Vikings from teeing off on Cam again? They had 8 sacks last year against us.

 

Will he offset the pass rush with drag routes/quick slants/and most importantly screen passes? Will be run Stewart up the middle on every single first down? If so, we're gonna have some problems.

 

DEFENSIVELY

 

Case Keenum is the real deal, so let's not think that he's mediocre and can't beat us. That would be a big mistake. Will our front four get pressure? We've also had problems against teams with good RB tandems. Will we wrap up and redeem ourselves from last week? Murray and McKinnon can replicate what happened to us last week. 

 

We're going into the game without Shaq, so already we're at a disadvantage there in terms of packages. His presence will surely be missed today.

 

lets talk about the secondary. Bradberry will have his hands full with Diggs as well as Thielen. Why both? Well that's simple... Worley just came off of his best game. Can he replicate that again against top tier talent in this tandem? If not, and I'm the Vikings' O coordinator, I move both WRs around and have them taking turns exposing him.

its not all doom and gloom. This will be a physical playoff atmosphere football game. Cam needs to get going early!

 

WHAT ID LIKE TO SEE

I'd like to see to see play action on first downs, with a streaking Byrd or Clay, and options to check down. I'd like to see our o-line open up some holes and get our RBs some space. I'd like to see McCaffrey use some vision in space. In consecutive weeks I've seen potential TDs end in disappointment because he went the wrong way or simply didn't have the vision. Sure it's easy to sit on my couch, and jusmdge after replays, but for him to be so highly touted as a "give him space and watch him work" type of player, I've seen some disappointing cutbacks that would have surely been TDs. I'd like to see Kalil and Olsen stay on the field he hole game and be effective. I'd like to see Matt Kalil bounce back, if he can't then we need to cut slingload during the offseason and take the cap hit while saving money in the long run. Minnesota knows his weaknesses and knows them well. If he doesn't get help via chips, or all out RB protection to the blind side, Cam can be in for a long long day once again. I'll be disappointed if we don't run two TE sets if we see early pressure.

 

We have to maximize our opportunities. Most of the players realized and commented post Saints game that the sky wasn't falling and that they had left some plays on the field. Well guys, in consecutive weeks we are facing playoff teams. Here's your chance to make up for it and execute.

 

BOLD PREDICTIONS

There will be a ST play today that will determine the outcome.

I also see a defensive turnover that results in 6

I expect Peppers to show up in a big way. 

Olsen has his coming out party this week, but will it be enough?

Byrd will make a splash play with an end around, and will get behind the defense only to be missed by Cam due to lack of chemistry and Cam being out of practice on the deep balls.

After the dust settles, Panthers win a close one on the foot of Gano. I expect players on both sides to get banged up today due to the physical gameplay.

19-16 Panthers

 

[AaronVikes]

Vikings down 2 starters on offensive line and Panthers have a tough front 7, Vikings are due for a bad game.  Heart says win, gut says loss.

Panthers 24
Vikings 16

[LUUUUUKE]

I mean I hope we come out and dominate in all facets, that would do a lot of the team's confidence. It's December after all. That what I'm hoping for, but my novice attempts at analysis, I just don't see it

[RevJ]

Must avoid an early turnover in their territory, that has killed us in a couple of important games

[LUUUUUKE]

Clearly, I will have to make these threads weekly, as Worley already has a pick and Stewart just rumbled for his longest run of the season!