People who bet on NFL will be excited to see the current NFC North title-holders Minnesota Vikings pay a visit to the defending NFC champions Carolina Panthers on Sunday September 25th at the Bank of America Stadium. The NFL betting online odds for the game are:
Vikings +7 (-110) 43 (-110)
Panthers -7 (-110) 43 (-110)
The Vikings looked like a well-oiled machine in their week 2 match-up with the Green Bay Packers. Sam Bradford made his first start under center in Minnesota with 22 completed passes of 30 attempts for 286 yards with two TDs and no interceptions, and while star running back Adrian Peterson only limped to 19 yards on 12 carries on a flat right tire, the Vikings showed they don’t live or die by the 2015 league rushing leader. To wit, Stefon Diggs had nine receptions for 182 yards and a TD.
Meanwhile, the defense sacked visiting QB Aaron Rodgers five times – and forced him to fumble four times – and produced two turnovers. Additionally, CB Trae Waynes picked Rodgers off in Vikings territory with 1:50 remaining to close the deal at 17-14, as the 66,813-strong audience at the brand new U.S Bank Stadium lost their collective s***. Green Bay LB Clay Matthews hit Bradford on his non-tossing hand, but the QB didn’t miss a single snap.
Speaking of resilience, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was no worse for wear from the four helmet-to-helmet hits he sustained against the Denver Broncos, and played the way fans who bet on NFL have become accustomed to. Carolina defeated the San Francisco 49ers 46-27 in their home opening game. Newton finished 24 of 40 for 353 passing yards with 4 TDs and one interception. His first pass of the game was picked off by Antoine Bethea, which resulted in a 49ers field goal. Newton was undaunted, however, and threw two scoring passes to Kelvin Benjamin – who missed last season with torn ACL, and had seven receptions for 108 yards – and one apiece to Greg Olsen and Devin Funchess.
Carolina lost their season opening game, but it was to the Broncos in Denver, which is to the Panthers what kryptonite and red sunlight are to Superman. Conversely, Carolina has the best home-field advantage in the league, with a 15-game winning streak that dates back to week 15 of the 2014 season. The Vikings, on the other hand, have started 2-0 for the first time in the Mike Zimmer era. However, fans who bet on NFL are not expecting Adrian Peterson to play against the Panthers due to injury, increasing the pressure on Bradford and the aerial game.
As good as Bradford was in his Vikings debut, Carolina clearly has the upper hand under center, but Minnesota could have a chance if the defense delivers on Newton like they did on Rodgers – who completed on 55.6% of his throws for 213 yards, one touchdown and one pick. And the Panthers have had trouble protecting, as the aforementioned hits he took in week 1 can attest.