NFL - Minnesota (1-6) at Carolina (2-5)

Sky Sports, Sunday October 30th, 5pm

Sky Sports, Sunday October 30th, 5pm

I like the Panthers in this one. Although Adrian Peterson may go for enough yards to qualify for the London 2012 marathon, Carolina should have enough to see off the Vikings.

Cam Newton is an extraordinary player who is progressing nicely, improving his accuracy and reads, protecting possession, while still maintaining his elusiveness and danger when he extends a play. The Vikings have a capable pass rush, so Newton’s O line will need to keep him upright, but they’ve come together well after losing Jeff Otah.

Newton should be able to get after the Vikes’ secondary and Steve Smith, reinvigorated by the young QB, could have a big day; his YPC this season stands at an incredible 21 and he’ll doubtless get a couple of chances to strike from a long way out. Jonathan Stewart looks as though he’s beginning to show signs of life too and although Minnesota defends the run well (but gave up 4.5 YPC last week to the Packers) he can lend balance to an already powerful offense.

Christian Ponder looked good last week and the Panthers aren’t ripping it up on defense, where they rank 27th against the run and 30th against the pass, so he can put up numbers in this game, particularly behind Peterson. Carolina will need to pressure him, but have only got to the opposition QB twelve times this season.

However, the Panthers will have dissected his game during the week, and Ponder has to deal with some injuries to an already nicked up line and his most effective receiver in a pretty average set of wideouts is severely limited with damaged ribs.

Peterson is the real danger here for the Panthers, because if he gets rolling and allows Ponder the time as the Carolina D sets up for the run, the Vikes could take this. For those of you who play in-running, it is critical that the Panthers get out in front, forcing Ponder to throw to catch up and taking some sting out of ‘All-Day’ by limiting his touches.

I’ll give the points, but stay on the key number.

Pick: Panthers -3 @ 1.8; -125; 4/5

Pick: 1st TD Cam Newton @ 7.0; 600; 6/1

Pick: Anytime TD Steve Smith @ 1.91; -110; 10/11

Pick: Adrian Peterson Rushing Yards Over 102.5 @ 1.91; -110; 10/11