The Minnesota Vikings have struggled to get pressure on the last two quarterbacks they've faced. Jay Cutler beat them by getting rid of the ball quickly, while Aaron Rodgers relied on running back Eddie Lacy and slipped away from several sacks, running for 34 yards of his own.

Cam Newton certainly has the wherewithal to beat the Vikings with his feet, but he's been getting sacked more often and having more trouble under pressure this season. If the Vikings can put some heat on him Sunday, they should be able to get a win at home.

Newton has been sacked 32 times this season, and has completed just 14 of 43 passes under pressure. He'll undoubtedly try to flee the pocket when he's pressured on Sunday, but if the Vikings can rush the quarterback the way coach Mike Zimmer wants them to -- collapsing the pocket as a team and squeezing off escape lanes for Newton -- they'll be able to fluster him and hold down the Panthers' offense.

The Vikings have concerns of their own on offense, as they have all season, and they'll have to adjust to the loss of another starter on the offensive line with Phil Loadholt out for the season. But their pass rush, if it's up to the level it reached before the Vikings' bye week, has a chance to control the game on Sunday.

Prediction: Vikings 20, Panthers 16