EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- When the Minnesota Vikings were last at home, they were on their way to an 0-3 start and the team's quarterback was booed every time he took the field.
Minnesota hopes the Metrodome will be a little more hospitable this week when the Vikings (1-3) host the Carolina Panthers (1-3). Quarterback Christian Ponder might not get the chance to be booed, replaced officially by Matt Cassel. Minnesota also has one win under its belt by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in a "home" game in London before last week's bye.
Here's five things to watch as the Vikings return to their true home:
1. Continuing with Cassel
Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier finally made official what everyone had expected when he named Cassel the starter for Sunday. Ponder is healthy enough to play after missing the last game because of a fractured rib, which gave Cassel his chance. Ponder will be Cassel's backup on Sunday. Cassel earned his chance with his performance in leading the Vikings to a win in the last game.
Cassel was decisive and in control of the offense and got the ball out of his hands quickly. The entire offense looked more in sync with Cassel under center. Cassel was 16 of 25 for 248 yards and two touchdowns last week. He also used the outside receivers, Greg Jennings and Jerome Simpson. Jennings had two touchdown catches, including a 70-yard catch and run. Simpson had seven catches for 124 yards. Cassel made it tough for Frazier to go back to Ponder with the way he performed in the last game.
2. Playing keep-away
One of the most important aspects of Cassel's game was taking care of the football. Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson did break up a possible interception in the end zone and Simpson recovered a Cassel fumble, but Minnesota didn't have any turnovers for the first time this season and still managed two takeaways on defense.
Ponder had seven turnovers through the first three games, throwing five interceptions and losing two fumbles. The turnovers on offense negated a defense that had succeeded in taking the ball away for the first month of the season. The Vikings are now plus-2 in turnover margin after the win against Pittsburgh and are third in the league in takeaways with 12. Minnesota is tied with the third-most turnovers on offense. The onus is on taking care of the ball against Carolina again this week. The Panthers have caused nine takeaways and nine turnovers in four games this season.
3. Keeping Cam contained
The Vikings faced Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in his big rookie season and know how he can impact the game with his legs and his arm. Newton really hasn't changed much since his first year. He can still make big plays and the type of plays most quarterbacks are unable to make in the league. He's also prone to his mistakes.
Newton has six turnovers this season, with five interceptions. He's also taken 15 sacks through four games. But he's thrown for 885 yards and six touchdowns and adds 123 yards and a touchdown on the ground, rushing to a 6.2-yard average. Carolina is another Minnesota opponent that uses the read-option with the athletic Newton and the Vikings' linebackers and defensive ends will need to keep a close eye on Newton and not let him get free.
4. A much-needed returned to health
Minnesota should be aided in its attempts to slow Newton through the air with the return of two starters to its secondary. Cornerback Chris Cook and safety Jamarca Sanford both missed the last game against Pittsburgh. The bye week helped them return from injury and both are expected to play Sunday.
Sanford struggled at times earlier this season, but the Vikings don't have much depth in the secondary. Cook's return will be a boost for the cornerback spot, with Minnesota playing three cornerbacks for much of the game. Frazier said Josh Robinson will still start on the opposite side of Cook, though Robinson has been attacked often by opposing quarterbacks. Rookie Xavier Rhodes will stay in his spot as the third corner. Marcus Sherels, who played well in Cook's absence, would likely fall back into a spot as the fourth cornerback.
5. Controlling the ends
Part of the offense's success in the last game came with the quick decisions Cassel was making. The offensive line looked improved and Cassel only took one sack. Ponder had been sacked 10 times in the first three games. Left tackle Matt Kalil, right tackle Phil Loadholt and the rest of the line will need to be at its best again against an underrated defensive line for the Panthers.
Carolina features two defensive ends that both reached double-digits in sacks last season in Charlie Johnson and Greg Hardy. The two have combined for six sacks this season and will be a challenge for Kalil and Loadholt. The Panthers have also been helped by the presence of rookie defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Kawaan Short. Led by the defensive line and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, Carolina has allowed the third fewest yards in the league this season and is seventh against the run.
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