Predicting the Carolina Panthers 2021 season game by game

Carolina Panthers vs. Minnesota Vikings

• Week 6 (Sunday, October 17)
• 1 pm
• FOX

It was another case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory when the Carolina Panthers visited the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. The team was in a commanding position in the second half thanks in no small part to Jeremy Chinn’s two touchdowns in consecutive defensive plays, but Teddy Bridgewater’s failure to connect with a wide-open D.J. Moore in the end zone heading into the fourth quarter was enough for Mike Zimmer’s men to earn a come-from-behind triumph.

Carolina gets another shot at the Vikings at Bank of America in Week 6 and will be coming into the contest riding on the crest of a wave. Although confidence will be high if things play out this way in terms of results, Minnesota should not be taken lightly and they should be a far sterner test than the Panthers faced last season.

This is primarily down to a much-improved defensive front that includes free-agent signing Dalvin Tomlinson. They also get Danielle Hunter and Michael Pierce back from injury and opting out, so this should be an area of real strength for the Vikings once again.

Couple this with a prolific running back in Dalvin Cook, a potent wide receiver combination in Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, and a quarterback in Kirk Cousins who was superb following their bye week, and it’s not hard to see why this is going to be a challenge.

Prediction: Win

Much like the Cowboys game, this is one that could go either way. However, the Panthers might be able to generate some pressure against Minnesota’s offensive line that could make the difference.