5 sneaky threats the Panthers must contain vs. the Vikings in Week 6

(Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports) Alexander Mattison
(Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports) Alexander Mattison
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Carolina Panthers
(Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports) Alexander Mattison

What sneaky threats do the Carolina Panthers need to worry about when they take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6?

Falling to three straight losses would be an absolute catastrophe for the Carolina Panthers and their hopes of reaching the playoffs. All the momentum generated over the opening three weeks seems to be evaporating quickly, which has something to do with the way they capitulated in the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of America Stadium last Sunday.

The Panthers now have to get themselves back in the win column at home to the Minnesota Vikings, who are a tricky team to decipher and appear capable of giving anybody a real test when everything clicks into place.

Although the Vikings sit at 2-3, they might be much better than this record. Especially considering they took the unbeaten Arizona Cardinals to the wire and also held the powerful Cleveland Browns offense to 14 in defeat.

The big-time players are there for all to see in Minnesota. But here are five sneaky threats the Panthers need to worry about in Week 6.

Sneaky threats for the Carolina Panthers to worry about in Week 6.

Sneaky Threat No. 1

Carolina Panthers
(Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports) Xavier Woods

Xavier Woods – S

The jury was well and truly out on Xavier Woods heading into the season after a disappointing 2020 campaign with the Dallas Cowboys, but the safety has bounced back impressively in a new environment so far.

Working alongside one of the best players at the position in Harrison Smith seems to have helped. So the Carolina Panthers need to be wary of his presence on the backend at all times.

Sam Darnold’s progressions weren’t up to the required standard in Week 5. This will put the likes of Woods on red alert as they look to create enough turnovers for Minnesota to emerge victoriously.

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