It's crunch time. Get ready for game day, and don't forget the chips when the Panthers face the Vikings on Sunday. Here are five things to watch for in the matchup.
GETTING SOME GUYS BACK
As much as anything, the Panthers are trying to create some sense of stability this season without swinging wildly in any particular direction from week to week.
The hope is that will eventually translate into season to season, but for now, they'll work with what they have.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be back on the field this week after he was held out last Sunday against the Lions because of a slight right knee injury. Honestly, it would probably take a restraining order to keep Bridgewater off the field in Minnesota, where his career started and nearly ended because of his 2016 left knee injury.
There were also promising signs with left tackle Russell Okung and right guard John Miller back on the practice field this week. While no one said it out loud, those two being out last week likely played into the decision to give Bridgewater a week to heal, and backup P.J. Walker did a good enough job to lead them to the win.
Running back Christian McCaffrey won't be back until after the bye week (and he did more in practice this week as he comes back from his shoulder injury), but the Panthers are getting closer to what they're used to on offense, which can only help.
COUSINS ON A ROLL
The Vikings have committed themselves to quarterback Kirk Cousins, and their fate generally swings with his performance.
Early on this season, when he was turning it over all the time, that put them in a hole they may not be able to dig out from.
But for his part, he's played incredibly well since the bye.
In the four games since their break, Cousins has thrown nine touchdowns and just one interception, has completed 71.0 percent of his passes, averaging 9.9 yards per attempt, and has a passer rating of 128.2.
That's allowed him to put an ugly start behind him, as he held the league lead in interceptions earlier this year (only recently yielding it to Philadelphia's Carson Wentz), but has bounced nicely.
TAKE YOUR TIME TEDDY
This isn't the typical Vikings' defense we're used to seeing, primarily because they lack anything resembling a pass rush.
After losing defensive end Danielle Hunter to a season-ending injury, then flipping trade acquisition Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens in October, the Vikings are making do with a bunch of third-day picks (if that) up front.
Ngakoue had five sacks in his six games there, and there's a good chance he could be the team leader in that category at season's end, as no one else on the roster has more than three at the moment.
SHORTHANDED ON BOTH SIDES
The Panthers will be without cornerback Donte Jackson again this week as they try to let his problematic toe injury heal.
The Vikings could have an equivalent absence on the other side of the ball.
Wide receiver Adam Thielen has been on the reserve/COVID-19 list since Monday, and reports suggested he might not be cleared in time to play this week.
He had a huge game last time out, with eight catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns last week against Dallas. His 11 touchdown receptions are a league-high, as he's become Cousins' go-to target after they traded Stefon Diggs to the Bills this offseason.
Thielen has been especially dangerous in the red zone, with 10 of his touchdowns coming inside the 20-yard line.
The Vikings can still be effective on offense, especially with the way running back Dalvin Cook has performed this year, but being without Thielen would be a major blow.
GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN
The Panthers are on a bit of a roll against teams that employ the franchise's original coach, Dom Capers.
The 70-year-old Capers, who coached the Panthers from 1995-98 and led the expansion team to the NFC Championship Game in its second year, now works as a senior defensive consultant with the Vikings.
The Vikings are his seventh team since he left Charlotte, including long stints as the Texans' head coach (2002-05) and the Packers' defensive coordinator (2009-2017).
The last three times they've seen Capers, the Panthers have won, including last year's game against Jacksonville and the 2015 and 2017 games against the Packers. He had won the previous four meetings with the Panthers (1999 with the Jaguars, 2003 with the Texans, and 2011 and 2014 with the Packers).
The Panthers are 6-9 all-time against the Vikings, with a 3-2 record at home and 3-7 record on the road.
Minnesota Vikings' Brett Favre (4) is hit by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) during the first half of an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers tight end Kris Mangum (86) and his teammates celebrate as they take the field with less than two minutes left in the game when the Minnesota Vikings failed to convert on a fourth down play during the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002 in Minneapolis. The Panthers beat the Vikings 21-14.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
Players huddle on the field during the first half of an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, left, walks off the field with Carolina Panthers wide receiver Philly Brown (16) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 31-13. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) carries the ball up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, left, scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is pressured by Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, right, meets with Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson following an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. The Panthers defeated the Vikings 35-10. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Philly Brown (16) catches a 32-yard touchdown pass in front of Minnesota Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during an NFL football game Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2013 file photo, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith crosses his arms after a touchdown catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis. The agent for Smith says the five-time Pro Bowl selection has played his final snap for the Panthers. Smith's longtime representative Derrick Fox told The Associated Press on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, that Smith "is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that. I just don't know when that transaction is going to take place." (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) slides into the end zone during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn, center, is tackled by Minnesota Vikings strong safety Jamarca Sanford, left, and cornerback Xavier Rhodes during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams runs against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen tries to break the tackle of Minnesota Vikings strong safety Jamarca Sanford after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball over the Minnesota Vikings' defense during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. The Minnesota Vikings won 24-21. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs away from Minnesota Vikings' Husain Abdullah during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. The Minnesota Vikings won 24-21. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton scores a touchdown on a 7-yard run against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2011 file photo, Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson, left, tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The man teammates call "Big Money" is living up to his $76.5 million contract so far with seven sacks and several other big plays for the Panthers (2-6) and is looking to build on his growing reputation as an impact player in the second half of the season. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is hit by Minnesota Vikings' Husain Abdullah (39) during the fourth quarter of Vikings' 24-21 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2009, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) runs past Minnesota Vikings' Jimmy Kennedy (73) in the second half of the Panthers' 26-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings were only 4-4 on the road in the regular season, the worst among NFC playoff teams and any of the four remaining contenders. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson, left, tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 30, 2011. Minnesota won 24-21. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) reacts in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Matt Moore (3) hands off during the second half of an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) is hit by Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) celebrates during the second half of an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings' Brett Favre, right, talks with Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad after an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte (12) lthrows against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)
Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) reacts after a Minnesota Vikings holding penalty in the second half of the Panthers' 26-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) staggers into the end zone for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Minnesota Vikings' quarterback Gus Frerotte (12) is sacked by Carolina Panthers Charles Godfrey, center, and Thomas Davis, top, during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
Carolina Panthers' Matt Moore (3) is hit by Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen (69) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. Moore fumbled the ball but the Panthers recovered. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs for 6 yards during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) prepares to throw a pass under pressure from Minnesota Vikings' Lance Johnstone (51) during the second quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 30, 2005. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme passes during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Minneapolis.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
Minnesota Vikings' Daunte Culpepper (11) reacts after he was hit during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 30, 2005. Culpepper left the game with a sprained knee. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith (89) runs past Minnesota Vikings' Fred Smoot (27) after a catch during the second quarter,Sunday Oct. 30, 2005, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor, center, is brought down after a two-yard gain by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers, top, Chris Draft, left, in the first quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Jonathan Stewart runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Jonathan Stewart goes up for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Luke Kuechly against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton carries the football against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Kawann Short sacks the quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Vernon Butler and Luke Kuechly make a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Julius Peppers pressures the quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Luke Kuechly against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton passes against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Devin Funchess scores a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton and the Panthers line up in the red zone during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Mario Addison rushes the quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Mario Addison makes a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Captain Munnerlyn makes a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
