Post by Danchat on Sept 30, 2023 12:14:46 GMT -6
We get another toilet bowl matchup as two 0-3 teams face each other, though the teams are in far different positions. The Vikings need to pick up the easy wins against teams like Carolina or the season will be over soon.
Line: Vikings -4.5
SuperSim Calculated Line: Vikings -6
Injury Report
Panthers
ILB Luvu - Questionable
FS Woods - Out
WR Mingo - Questionable
RB Sanders - Questionable
Vikings
C Bradbury - Questionable
OLB Davenport - Questionable
S Cine - Out
QB Hall - Questionable
*My Thoughts*
The Panthers have a lousy roster, through and through. The offense is bereft of talent and the defense is decent, but that's a poor combo. The Panthers did have a big need at QB and felt the need to move up for Bryce Young at the cost of two 1sts, two 2nds, and WR DJ Moore. They need him to become a top tier QB to justify that move, but it's simply too early to criticize him. So far he has looked skittish and thrown a bunch of short passes, which should work to the Vikings' benefit with their ability to clean up short passing plays. Andy Dalton showed that he could still be a decent starting QB last week, but they have nothing to gain by playing him.
Carolina wanted to be a run-first team, but their poor OL hasn't been able to block openings for the RBs (alongside the passing game not being a threat). Miles Sanders is a decent back, though PFF dislikes him for some reason, but he can't overcome a bad OL. Hubbard will get his share of touches but he also isn't anything special. The OL has been a major issue with LT Ekwonu failing to take a big step forward in Year 2. The iOL has been an even bigger issue with two unproven guys in Zavala (2023 4th) and Mays (2022 6th) being massive liabilities. Veteran center Bozeman is also playing at a career worst level through the first three weeks. Moton is still the one constant on their line.
The receiving game is really missing DJ Moore. Thielen isn't quite washed yet but is no longer the impact receiver he once was, but he can still move the chains as more of a possession receiver. The oft-injured DJ Chark should provide some spark downfield theoretically but it hasn't happened yet. 2nd round rookie Mingo will have to provide the spark, as Shenault Jr and Marshall haven't provided that when given a chance. Hayden Hurst is a passable starting TE but an unsexy one, decent enough as a receiver and an OK blocker.
Defensively the Panthers have options, but they have been shaky so far. Their DL consists of an emerging Derrick Brown and a bunch of guys. The edge room has the explosive Brian Burns and wily vet Justin Houston. A couple years back, O'Neill held Burns to one of his least productive games on the season. There isn't much behind the two, as Gross-Matos has been a flop. They're also missing ILB Shaq Thompson, and has forced longtime special teams vet Kamu Grugier-Hill into a starting role. They do have Frankie Luvu, who has stepped up as a playmaking LB who had a whopping 7 sacks, 1 FF, and 1 pick last year.
Carolina's secondary is questionable as well. Jaycee Horn is on the IR again, forcing Donte Jackson into the top role where he has struggled the past couple years. CJ Henderson is a bust who hasn't panned out as an outside or inside CB. They've opted to play Chinn in the slot at times, but with Woods out he is probably at safety full time now. Chinn was the one to have two defensive TDs against the Vikings a couple years back, but after a hot start PFF has been giving him subpar grades. Troy Hill will likely fill in at slot CB with Chinn at safety. Vonn Bell has been a reliable tackler buy can be challenged in coverage successfully.
My Prediction: Vikings 27, Panthers 17
For all the faults the Vikings have, the Panthers are the far inferior team and outside of the Bears games, this is the one matchup the Vikings should win by 2+ scores. I can see them running and passing efficiently against this Panthers defense, while Flores will have his best game on the early season as his blitzes should confound Young and unlike the other teams we've faced, I don't think they have the personnel to whip our secondary.
Any thoughts?
Line: Vikings -4.5
SuperSim Calculated Line: Vikings -6
Injury Report
Panthers
ILB Luvu - Questionable
FS Woods - Out
WR Mingo - Questionable
RB Sanders - Questionable
Vikings
C Bradbury - Questionable
OLB Davenport - Questionable
S Cine - Out
QB Hall - Questionable
*My Thoughts*
The Panthers have a lousy roster, through and through. The offense is bereft of talent and the defense is decent, but that's a poor combo. The Panthers did have a big need at QB and felt the need to move up for Bryce Young at the cost of two 1sts, two 2nds, and WR DJ Moore. They need him to become a top tier QB to justify that move, but it's simply too early to criticize him. So far he has looked skittish and thrown a bunch of short passes, which should work to the Vikings' benefit with their ability to clean up short passing plays. Andy Dalton showed that he could still be a decent starting QB last week, but they have nothing to gain by playing him.
Carolina wanted to be a run-first team, but their poor OL hasn't been able to block openings for the RBs (alongside the passing game not being a threat). Miles Sanders is a decent back, though PFF dislikes him for some reason, but he can't overcome a bad OL. Hubbard will get his share of touches but he also isn't anything special. The OL has been a major issue with LT Ekwonu failing to take a big step forward in Year 2. The iOL has been an even bigger issue with two unproven guys in Zavala (2023 4th) and Mays (2022 6th) being massive liabilities. Veteran center Bozeman is also playing at a career worst level through the first three weeks. Moton is still the one constant on their line.
The receiving game is really missing DJ Moore. Thielen isn't quite washed yet but is no longer the impact receiver he once was, but he can still move the chains as more of a possession receiver. The oft-injured DJ Chark should provide some spark downfield theoretically but it hasn't happened yet. 2nd round rookie Mingo will have to provide the spark, as Shenault Jr and Marshall haven't provided that when given a chance. Hayden Hurst is a passable starting TE but an unsexy one, decent enough as a receiver and an OK blocker.
Defensively the Panthers have options, but they have been shaky so far. Their DL consists of an emerging Derrick Brown and a bunch of guys. The edge room has the explosive Brian Burns and wily vet Justin Houston. A couple years back, O'Neill held Burns to one of his least productive games on the season. There isn't much behind the two, as Gross-Matos has been a flop. They're also missing ILB Shaq Thompson, and has forced longtime special teams vet Kamu Grugier-Hill into a starting role. They do have Frankie Luvu, who has stepped up as a playmaking LB who had a whopping 7 sacks, 1 FF, and 1 pick last year.
Carolina's secondary is questionable as well. Jaycee Horn is on the IR again, forcing Donte Jackson into the top role where he has struggled the past couple years. CJ Henderson is a bust who hasn't panned out as an outside or inside CB. They've opted to play Chinn in the slot at times, but with Woods out he is probably at safety full time now. Chinn was the one to have two defensive TDs against the Vikings a couple years back, but after a hot start PFF has been giving him subpar grades. Troy Hill will likely fill in at slot CB with Chinn at safety. Vonn Bell has been a reliable tackler buy can be challenged in coverage successfully.
My Prediction: Vikings 27, Panthers 17
For all the faults the Vikings have, the Panthers are the far inferior team and outside of the Bears games, this is the one matchup the Vikings should win by 2+ scores. I can see them running and passing efficiently against this Panthers defense, while Flores will have his best game on the early season as his blitzes should confound Young and unlike the other teams we've faced, I don't think they have the personnel to whip our secondary.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.