4 reasons the Carolina Panthers will beat the Vikings in Week 12
By Dean Jones
Teddy Bridgewater has a point to prove
Teddy Bridgewater has a huge point to prove as he heads back to Minneapolis to play his former team for the first time since he departed. The quarterback has played against the Vikings before on home soil, but this will be an emotional occasion for him despite no fans being in the stands.
The Carolina Panthers bet big on Bridgewater to lead them through this period of transition. Getting a starting role elsewhere is something he worked hard to attain after almost losing his leg in a freak training camp injury when part of Minnesota’s roster in 2016.
Although Bridgewater did see the field late in the 2017 season, the Vikings decided to cut their losses with their former first-round pick and go with Kirk Cousins instead. It’s been a long road to redemption for the player ever since and he will be eager to prove that Mike Zimmer should’ve kept him around.
This motivation might be all the Panthers need to get over the line in a game they are 3.5-point underdogs. Bridgewater has been solid if not spectacular this season – which was to be expected – but this might be the catalyst behind a standout showing against a team that doesn’t boast much in the way of legitimate pass-rush without Danielle Hunter.