3 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers at the Vikings

The defense will score a touchdown.

The Carolina Panthers defense won’t pitch a shutout again but they have a great opportunity for another stellar performance. Minnesota is tied for 24th in turnover differential at -4, but the Panthers are 11th at +2 and have 14 takeaways on the year.

The book on Kirk Cousins is that he’s bound to throw a ball to the defense and Pro-Bowler Dalvin Cook has fumbled three times this year, losing two of them. Carolina’s defense has been pretty advantageous this year, but have fallen just short of scoring opportunities even though their level of production against the Lions was nothing short of phenomenal.

Cousins has thrown 10 “pick-sixes” in his eight-year career which is one of the highest totals among active starters. To be fair, the quarterback has dialed down on turnovers in the past few weeks. Since the Vikings Week 7 bye, he’s only got one interception and one lost fumble.

With an efficient Cousins at the helm, the defense will definitely have their hands full on Sunday trying to keep several Vikings playmakers at bay. Even if the Panthers defense doesn’t find the end zone, a takeaway at the right time will prove valuable for their efforts to seal a win on the road.