The second of three consecutive home games should have Minnesota looking to build toward a possible playoff spot. The Vikings are in the easy part of their schedule with the benefit of their home field.
Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers will be about building for Minnesota, but it's more of the continuation of the season-long development of a young team under a new coaching staff. The Vikings (4-7) are three games out of a Wild Card spot and four games behind NFC North-leading Green Bay.
Carolina is actually fighting for a playoff spot, even if it's a half-game behind Minnesota. The Panthers (3-7-1) have the benefit of playing in the struggling NFC South. The Vikings have won two of their three previous games against the NFC South.
Here are five things to keep an eye on during Sunday's game:
1. Who now?
While Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer tried to remain quiet about rookie running back Jerick McKinnon's status, McKinnon said in the locker room Friday that he is out for Sunday's game with a low back injury. McKinnon hadn't practiced all week. The rookie third-round draft pick had become the Vikings' leading ball-carrier in the absence of Adrian Peterson. McKinnon leads Minnesota and is second among all rookies with 538 rushing yards this season.
Now the job will likely fall to a combination of players. Matt Asiata was the first one to start in place of Peterson. Asiata started four games and rushed for 221 yards in the four games before eventually ceding more carries and starts to the more explosive McKinnon. Asiata, who returned this week from a concussion, will likely get the first crack again but there is more intrigue behind Asiata.
Joe Banyard got his first taste of regular-season action last week and ran five times for 26 yards and added three catches for 19 yards. Minnesota also has Ben Tate, who it claimed off waivers last week, to possibly step forward. Tate was active last week, but didn't play. He now has another week in the system.
2. Teddy's team
McKinnon has had some success but the offense has been put on the shoulders of another rookie. Teddy Bridgewater is becoming more and more the focal point of the Vikings' offense. Bridgewater had 42 pass attempts in each of two wins before the bye. He had 37 pass attempts last week against Green Bay.
The offense, particularly without Peterson and McKinnon, is now Bridgewater's to lead. The rookie first-round draft pick has certainly mixed some moments of learning with highlights. He's been at his best when Minnesota is forced to the pass and quickens its tempo.
The Panthers bring the 22nd-ranked run defense and 26th-ranked pass defense to TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday. Carolina's defense hasn't been the same this season without defensive end Greg Hardy. The Panthers are also missing Captain Munnerlyn, who signed with Minnesota in the offseason, in the secondary. Carolina could also be without defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (ankle) and defensive end Charles Johnson (illness).
Two of Bridgewater's best games were in wins against Tampa Bay and Washington, when he was most active with the combined 84 pass attempts. Bridgewater needs to get in the game early, get the offense moving and not rely on late-game or second-half rallies.
3. All about the Benjamin
In the year of the rookie receiver, the Panthers have their own potential superstar on the outside. Carolina drafted Kelvin Benjamin from Florida State in the first round in May's draft. Benjamin leads the Panthers in receiving yards (786 yards) and receiving touchdowns (eight). He's second on the team with 52 catches behind tight end Greg Olsen's 56.
Benjamin is in a group of several standout rookie receivers. He is second to New Orleans' Brandin Cooks in receptions, second to Tampa Bay's Mike Evans in receiving yards and tied with Evans with eight receiving touchdowns this season.
Minnesota, if it deviates a bit from its usual defensive game plan, has a way to match up with the 6-foot-5 Benjamin. The Vikings were repeatedly burned by Chicago's tall receivers two weeks ago, but most of the damage was done against Josh Robinson, who is 5-10. On the other side, Minnesota has the athletic 6-1 Xavier Rhodes. The Bears didn't have to challenge Rhodes because of the size advantage on the other side.
The Vikings couldn't even play matchups because Chicago had a pair of tall, talented receivers. Perhaps this time around Minnesota will look to use Rhodes on Benjamin, not considered a fast receiver, as much as possible. Coach Mike Zimmer said it was possible Rhodes would match up with Benjamin, but wouldn't reveal much. The Vikings usually play their cornerbacks to specific sides. This week's matchup might be one to deviate from the norm.
4. Stop Cam
When it comes to stopping the Panthers, it's still about Cam Newton. Newton is having a down season but is still talented both passing and running. Newton is a load to bring down at 6-5 and 245 pounds. Zimmer talked this week about staying true to the pass-rush lanes and keeping Newton in the pocket, but also the difficulty in bringing down the big quarterback.
When Minnesota's pass rush has been at its best this season, it's been the front-four sticking with its responsibilities and keeping lane integrity to keep quarterbacks in the pocket. The strategy is very important against Newton.
Newton has run for 293 yards this season. Carolina hasn't been able to run as effectively as in the past with DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert all dealing with injuries. The Panthers are 25th in the league in rushing.
The offense revolves around Newton. For Benjamin and Olsen to have an impact, Newton needs to get them the ball. Minnesota has to keep Newton, who ran for 107 yards in a tie against Cincinnati, in the pocket and bring him down when the opportunities exist.
5. Bengals look-in
The most important film for the Vikings this week was the Panthers' matchup with Cincinnati earlier this season. Carolina and the Bengals played to a 37-all tie. Zimmer's former team had trouble handling Newton. Cincinnati still runs the same schemes Zimmer brought to Minnesota, so the film was instructive this week.
Zimmer might not like what he saw. The Panthers gained a season-high 431 yards against the Bengals. Newton ran 17 times for 107 yards and a touchdown and added 284 yards through the air on 29-of-46 passing for two touchdowns and an interception.
Zimmer has to hope his defense executes better within the scheme. The coach knows Carolina will alter some things, and try to stick with what worked against Cincinnati. Zimmer also has to adjust. Minnesota has the pieces to slow Newton and the Panthers, but it will have to play better than the Bengals did.
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