Minnesota will suffer a defeat at some point, but it won’t be this week in Carolina. The Vikings are one of the top five teams in the league, and the Panthers ... are not. I don’t trust Cam Newton against a defense of this caliber, and he hasn’t beaten a legitimately good team since the Patriots were struggling defensively back in October. Carolina is good, while Minnesota is bordering on great this season.

This is Minnesota's third straight road game, and the Vikings are due for a letdown at some point. But this line still feels short. Minnesota is one of only four teams that ranks in the top eight in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Carolina's recent four-game win streak came against mostly bad teams, with the victory over the Jets a bit fluky. Look for the Vikings' pass rush to be the difference. Lay it.

The travel-laden portion of a schedule from hell is about to end. Minnesota has been magnificent over the past five games, four on the road, by sweeping them straight-up. Now comes a fifth away game in that stretch, third in a row, against a testy opponent. Carolina’s defense, ranked sixth, will make life difficult for Case Keenum and company, which managed just 14 points last week. Panthers QB Cam Newton is as inconsistent as Keenum is steady, but RB Jonathan Stewart can take some heat off him. Stewart has amassed nearly 300 yards in the past three meetings with Minnesota. TE Greg Olsen (foot) is on a so-called pitch count, but that is preferable to being laid up.

It's clear the Vikings deserve to be favored in this game with how they've played all season. But I have a hard time making the Panthers 'dogs at home, especially if Greg Olsen is back for this game as expected. The Vikings are playing in their third straight road game (first outdoors), and I expect this one to be tough sledding after they won the other two. The Panthers need this one more in a tough wild-card race, and they've had a better than average home-field advantage in recent years. This could be similar to their 20-17 win at home against the Falcons back in November.

Everyone is waiting for the shoe to drop on Case Keenum’s tremendous season. I like how he’s playing but this will be a huge test. He’ll be facing a defense that’s very similar to his own. Grab the points with the home team.

This is a clear Under spot, as these two NFC contenders are stronger on defense than offense. I'm not going to hammer the Panthers too much for not being at their best defensively against a great Saints offense on the road, and I expect them to shut down the Vikings rushing attack in this matchup. The Vikings have allowed 300 yards of offense just once in their last nine games, and they just held two excellent offense teams (Rams, Falcons) to less than 10 points over the last three weeks. I think this number is destined to dip, so I'll take it now.