Can Vikings Stay Red-Hot Against the Panthers in NFL Week 14?

Case Keenum and the red-hot Minnesota Vikings will look to ride the wave of their momentum when they hit the road to take on Cam Newton and a Carolina Panthers team that will be desperate to get a big win and give their playoff hopes a boost in NFL Week 14. With Carolina looking to rebound from a heartbreaking loss last weekend and Minnesota looking to extend their winning ways, let’s find out which team is offering the best value based on the latest NFL betting odds.

Minnesota (10-2) at Carolina (8-4) NFL Week 14 Odds & Expert Pick

8-2 as a starter 243/360 (67.5%) 2,703 yards 16 TDs, 5 INTs 98.6 passer rating#ProBowlVote @casekeenum7 pic.twitter.com/dkMcCH4CCS
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) 7 de diciembre de 2017

When: Sunday, December 10 at 1:00 PM ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: CBS
Radio: 100.3 FM (Minnesota) / 1110 AM (Carolina)
NFL Week 14 Odds: Minnesota -2.5 (Over/Under at 41)

Weather Forecast

Clear: 4°C/40°F
Humidity: 37%
Precipitation: 0%
Cloud Cover: 0%
Wind: 8 mph WNW
Stadium Type: Open

Why Bet on the Minnesota Vikings Odds at -2.5?

Why bet on the Vikings in this contest? There are several good reasons, starting with the fact that Minnesota has a phenomenal defense. The Vikings are also getting some eye-opening play from quarterback Case Keenum and they just have the look of a team that doesn’t plan on losing anytime soon. The Vikes won their eighth consecutive game by man-handling Atlanta 14-9 in a hard-fought matchup last Sunday as Keenum completed a stellar 25 of 30 passes for 227 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions to help Minnesota cash in as 2-point road dogs. However, instead of worrying about home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Vikings say they are focused on the task at hand. “We’ve got four games left,” Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer said. “My only thoughts are on the Carolina Panthers and trying to get a win this week. All that stuff is nice to talk about, but for us, we’ll go about our business.” Not only that, but Minnesota’s stout defense kept the Falcons and their dangerous offense out of the end zone by limiting Atlanta to one field goal in each of the first three quarters before shutting the Falcons out in the final frame. While Keenum is getting the lion’s share of the national publicity for his team’s winning ways, the Vikings are actually running the ball very successfully right now. Veteran running back Latavius Murray has rushed for 75 yards or more in each of the last three games. “Running the ball is important for us, not just getting yards but play-action,” Keenum said. “I think there has been a good balance.”

Team Statistics

Offense

Average Score For: 23.75
Total Yards: 370.41
Rush Yards: 122.83
Passing Yards: 247.58

Defense

Average Score Against: 17.00
Total Yards: 289.09
Rush Yards: 77.67
Passing Yards: 211.42

Why Bet on the Carolina Panthers Odds at +2.5?

There are also several good reasons to bet on Carolina in this contest. The Panthers have an MVP-caliber superstar at quarterback and they’re playing at home, not to mention the fact that the Panthers also have a very good defense. Carolina ended up on the wrong end of a humbling 31-21 road loss to New Orleans while failing to cover the chalk as 5.5-point underdogs last weekend. Cam Newton passed for 183 yards and two touchdowns, but the Panthers couldn’t contain the Saints’ blossoming rushing attack. “There are still things in our future that can get us on the right track again,” Newton said.

Cam Newton and the Panthers are slight underdogs for NFL Week 14.

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is also focused on his current opponent and not the standings. “I think what’s most significant is that we have to take one at a time and focus on the opponent,” Rivera said. “It doesn’t matter what happens anywhere else.” Newton said too many quick exits by the offense are having a negative impact on his team’s defense. “We have to get our defense more rest time,” Newton said.

Team Statistics

Offense

Average Score For: 22.42
Total Yards: 328.67
Rush Yards: 127.75
Passing Yards: 200.92

Defense

Average Score Against: 19.83
Total Yards: 297.58
Rush Yards: 88.58
Passing Yards: 209.00

Latest NFL Week 14 Betting Trends

Vikings are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
Vikings are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games
Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
Panthers are 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Carolina’s last 10 games

Expert Analysis and NFL Week 14 Prediction

Right now, I’m thinking Minnesota’s defense is going to bottle up Cam Newton and force him to make throws from the pocket, which I just don’t see him completing. Right now, I genuinely believe that if the Vikings’ defense could keep Atlanta’s explosive offensive under control last weekend, then they should definitely be able to do the same against a Carolina offense that isn’t nearly as dangerous as Atlanta’s. The Vikings are a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games, a bankroll-boosting 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game and a seriously consistent 23-7 ATS in their last 30 games following a straight up win. Carolina is just 2-5 ATS in their last seven games in the month of December and I believe that is very telling. I say, go with the 62 percent of public bettors that like the streaking Vikings in this one! Pick: Minnesota Vikings -2.5