In Week 1, the Vikings were without their starting quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, who was lost for the season after suffering a gruesome knee injury prior to the start of the season in a non-contact drill.
Then, in Week 2, disaster struck again for the Vikings when they lost running back Adrian Peterson, arguably the centerpiece of their team and the leading rusher in franchise history, to a torn meniscus.
Minnesota managed to win both games, the latter being a huge 17-14 win over NFC North rival Green Bay.
On Sunday, the Vikings -- sans their starting quarterback and running back -- travel to Charlotte to face the defending conference champions in Carolina. To say the first three games of the season have been (and will be) a challenge for the Vikings would more than qualify as an understatement.
"Obviously, it's hard to replace a player like Adrian," new starting quarterback Sam Bradford said to the Associated Press. "It's just kind of next man up. I haven't been here long, but I think we have great running backs and the guys behind him are eager for the opportunity."
Jerick McKinnon is expected to get the start at running back for the Vikings.
The Panthers, meanwhile, looked more like the 2015 Panthers last week when they dismantled the San Francisco 49ers 46-27 at home. How dominant was Carolina? Quarterback Cam Newton threw for 353 yards and four touchdowns, and the Panthers racked up 529 yards on offense (despite turning the ball over four times).
It was a nice bounce-back game for the Panthers (1-1), who fell 21-20 to the Broncos in a Super Bowl rematch in Week 1.
Oddly enough, Carolina is also turning to a new starting running back, so the Panthers and Vikings are even that sense. Jonathan Stewart is out for a few weeks because of a sore hamstring. Cameron Artis-Payne is expected to get the bulk of the carries, while Fozzy Whittaker will get touches along with short-yardage back Mike Tolbert.
Also noteworthy here is the situation off the field in Charlotte, which has been rocked by protests after a civilian was shot and killed by a police officer. The protests have been violent in nature, with substantial damage done to buildings and businesses in downtown Charlotte. As our Will Brinson wrote on Friday, the Panthers and the NFL are planning to play Sunday's game as scheduled, but are monitoring the situation.
How to Watch
- What: Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
- When: Sunday, Sept. 25, 1 p.m. ET
- Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
- TV: FOX
- Online: NFL Game Pass
- Odds: The Panthers are currently a -7 favorite according to Bovada.
Injury report
Vikings
- DT Sharrif Floyd -- Out
- TE MyCole Pruitt -- Questionable
- CB Xavier Rhodes -- Questionable
- DB Michael Griffin -- Questionable
- DL Isame Faciane -- Questionable
- DB Tre Roberson -- Questionable
- QB Taylor Heinicke -- Out
Panthers
- LB Jeremy Cash -- Doubtful
- DT Kawann Short -- Questionable
- RB Jonathan Stewart -- Out
- G Trai Turner -- Questionable
- DB Travell Dixon -- Questionable
- DL Larry Webster -- Questionable
- DB Leonard Johnson -- Out
Prisco's Pick
This is a tough turnaround for the Vikings after big division win Sunday night against the Packers. Now they will be without Adrian Peterson against the NFC champs. The big battle here is that Carolina offense against the Minnesota defense. I think Cam Newton gets the better of the defense.
Pick: Panthers 24, Vikings 14
