MATT VENSEL: BRIDGEWATER WILL START FAST FOR ONCE


The Vikings have gotten off to a bunch of sluggish starts, in part due to quarterback play. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has appeared to be tentative early in games, and in the loss to the Packers last weekend, Bridgewater was uncharacteristically inaccurate on some less-than-challenging short and intermediate throws. But look for the Vikings and their young signal-caller to show a little more urgency early in this game. Bridgewater will throw a pair of first-half touchdown passes against the Panthers, who have been outscored, 150-69, before halftime this season.
MARK CRAIG: FROZEN CAMSICKLE WON'T BE RUNNING THREAT


TCF Bank Stadium will be an advantage for the Vikings for the first time when it plays host to the coldest game Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has played in. Newton downplayed Sunday's projected 16-degree high by saying, "I'm from Atlanta, so cold is cold. If you're wearing a coat, it's cold." But if 16 degrees is an accurate forecast, it will beat Cam's coldest game by 20 degrees. The Panthers are 0-5 in their past five games and haven't been the same team since Newton ran for 107 yards in a 37-37 tie at Cincinnati. Newton's season low for rushing yards is six. He might sneak through the line and top that Sunday, but the weather conditions will help the Vikings win a game while containing one of the league's more dangerous dual threats.
MASTER TESFATSION: GRIFFEN BREAKS SACK SLUMP


Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen hasn't had a sack over the last two games since the bye week. Last week against the Packers marked his fifth sack-less game this season. He's been sitting at nine since the Washington game and should reach double digits for the first time in his career against the Panthers. Look for Griffen to snag two sacks against a bad Panthers offensive line beaten up by injuries.
CHRIS MILLER: CAM NEWTON REMEMBERS HE'S CAM NEWTON


The Vikings have so-so success with pocket passers. Cam Newton started the new wave of thinking about mobile quarterbacks with his early success at Carolina, but has settled into a stretch of mediocrity. Today, he takes advantage of the Vikings by breaking a couple of long runs on scrambles, and eventually hits a couple of long passes as well. We'll see the real Cam Newton make a rare appearance.