Vikings-Panthers Predictions, Picks: Which 0-3 Team Wins in Week 4?

It's now or never for the Vikings. Three weeks into their highly-anticipated 2023 season, they're 0-3 with a trio of one-score losses that they feel could've been victories if a play or two had gone differently. Kevin O'Connell's team has been explosive through the air, but it also leads the league with nine turnovers and has been gashed on defense in each of the last two weeks.

The Vikings still believe they can turn this ship around and become the rare team to make the playoffs from an 0-3 start. If they're going to do it, this has to be the week it begins. They're headed to Charlotte to take on the also-winless Panthers and rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who will be making career start No. 3 on an offense devoid of talent.

If the Vikings win this game, they'll give themselves a shot to stay alive in the playoff hunt, especially if they can upset the Chiefs or 49ers in October. If they lose, you can stick a fork in them. It'll be completely over.

Minnesota is favored by 4.5 in this one. Will they get the job done on the road and avoid 0-4? Let's start with my prediction and then dive into some picks from national analysts.

Will's pick: Vikings 23, Panthers 17

2023 record: 2-1

I don't quite have the guts to predict a Panthers upset here. Maybe if Andy Dalton was starting. With that said, I also don't think the Vikings will roll to a blowout win. They haven't won a game by 17 points or more since December 2019 against the Chargers, the longest streak in the NFL. The Panthers' defensive stars — Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, and Frankie Luvu — should be able to do enough to keep this one close, but I think the Vikings will force Young into some mistakes and find a way to win their first game of the season.

National predictions

NFL.com: All 5 pickers take the Vikings

Minnesota set an NFL record by going 11-0 in one-score games during the 2022 regular season. Then the Vikings promptly lost their playoff opener by a touchdown, proving regression has a dark sense of humor. And three weeks into the 2023 campaign, Minnesota has three one-score losses, leaving Kirk Cousins and friends to wonder what they did to become the butt of such a merciless joke. Fortunately, they draw one of the league's other three winless teams in Week 4. With injuries and ineptitude diminishing these two teams' defenses, give me the offense with the better quarterback, better weaponry and better offensive line. Oh, and just to be safe, let's avoid a one-score margin. — Gennaro Filice

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Vikings 21, Panthers 20

This a game featuring two winless teams. That means it's a survival bowl. You can't go 0-4. The Vikings have played the better football of the two teams, but they can't stop anybody. The defense will play better here and they will find a way to win it with Kirk Cousins having another good day.

Mark Craig, Star Tribune: Vikings 31, Panthers 24

Why do I feel this will be wrong? Oh, right. The Vikings have more giveaways than Oprah.

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Vikings 26, Panthers 23

While Stroud is thriving, Carolina might be without Young, who suffered an ankle injury in Week 2. Andy Dalton passed for 361 yards in Dalton's place in Week 3, but it was an inefficient performance in a loss to Seattle. The Vikings have lost three one-score games despite the fact Kirk Cousins ranks third in the NFL in passer rating (108.2). Minnesota gets in the win column.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Vikings 27, Panthers 24

The Vikings are now in the habit of losing one-possession games, a playoff hangover from their loss to the Giants. They'll flip the script a little here with a break for their defense as Kirk Cousins rips into another struggling defense with all his weapons with a continued boost from the backfield. Whether it's Andy Dalton or Bryce Young, the Panthers don't have the firepower to keep up, even in a revenge game for former Viking Adam Thielen.

Bleacher Report Staff: Vikings 35, Panthers 28

(Bryce) Young will likely play on Sunday, barring a setback, but he won't help the Panthers keep pace with the Vikings. Minnesota has racked up the third-most total yards through the first three weeks of the season while Carolina ranks 21st league-wide. Young has thrown for two touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 59.2 percent of his passes in two starts. Assuming (Kevin) O'Connell's message about ball security struck a chord in the locker room, the Vikings will get their first victory by at least a touchdown.

Mike Florio, PFT: Vikings 27, Panthers 17

Chris Simms, PFT: Vikings 21, Panthers 16

Seth Walder, ESPN: Vikings 33, Panthers 24

Eric Moody, ESPN: Vikings 24, Panthers 17

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