4.) Vikings Tee Off on Newton

It’s not really a blueprint because few teams in the league have defenses like the Broncos and Vikings, but they’ve shown how to slow down the Panthers’ offense. Stop the run, overwhelm the offensive line, hit Newton in the mouth.

The Vikings piled up 8 sacks, the most since the Eagles got Newton 9 times during Carolina’s MNF nightmare in 2014.

Since the start of that season, Newton’s taken 43 sacks in his 18 wins. In his 13 losses, he’s taken 51 sacks. If the Panthers can’t protect him, odds are they’re not going to win.

They most certainly won’t if they’re as predictable as tight end Ed Dickson made them sound.

“It seems like they watched a lot of film on us,” he said. “We definitely have to go back and scout ourselves. Make sure we aren’t giving any tendencies away.”

Newton didn’t take his 12th sack last year until Week Eight against the Colts. And as of late Sunday night, the Panthers’ 12 sacks allowed tied them with Cincinnati for most in the league.