Vikings at Panthers
THE STORY: A pair of rookie quarterbacks who prepared for their NFL debuts together during the offseason will square off Sunday, as training partners Cam Newton of Carolina and Christian Ponder of Minnesota go head-to-head when the Panthers host the Vikings. Newton led the Panthers to the most impressive victory of his young career last week, passing for 256 yards and a touchdown and adding 59 rushing yards and a score in a 33-20 win over Washington. Ponder is still looking for his first win as he makes his second NFL start. The Panthers have won four of the past six meetings, including a 26-7 win in the most recent one in 2009.
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Panthers -3.5, O/U 47.5
ABOUT THE VIKINGS (1-6): The offense made strides with Ponder at the helm, as the rookie passed for 219 yards and two touchdowns and the Vikings rolled up a season-high 435 total yards in a 33-27 loss to the Packers. Ponder has RB Adrian Peterson to lean on. Peterson rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown last week and leads the NFL in rushing yards (712) and rushing touchdowns (8).
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (2-5): The Panthers have developed into one of the league's more prolific offenses, thanks in large part to Newton. The top overall pick ranks third in the NFC with 2,103 passing yards and has added 266 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Newton's mobility will come in handy against the Vikings and DE Jared Allen, who leads the NFL with 11 1/2 sacks, giving him six seasons with at least 10 sacks. Newton's favorite target has been WR Steve Smith, who leads the NFL with 818 receiving yards and four catches of 50 or more yards.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Newton is the only player in NFL history with seven or more passing touchdowns and seven or more rushing touchdowns. His seven rushing scores tie Vince Young for the most in a season by a rookie quarterback.
2. Carolina RB DeAngelo Williams needs 30 receiving yards to become the first player in franchise history with 4,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards.
3. Minnesota WR Michael Jenkins recorded the first 100-yard receiving game of his career, which spans eight seasons and 110 games.