Sam Darnold in Line for Big Day Against Minnesota Vikings

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold is coming off a deflating performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Panthers were in line to move to 4-1 on the season, but Darnold threw three interceptions and the team let a second half lead slip away.

Now WynnBET Sportsbook is not expecting a strong bounce back from the Panthers signal caller, setting his passing yards prop at 259.5 (Over -110/Under -120). I'm inclined to think he will go over that total for several reasons, let's break it down.

Both Offenses Should Find Success

The Vikings are one of the most talented offenses in the NFL. Kirk Cousins has a ton of weapons to throw to including Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen and two stud running backs in Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison.

If the Vikings are able to move the ball, the onus is going to be on Darnold to answer with his dangerous targets. Yes, Christian McCaffrey is out again, but he has solid chemistry with D.J. Moore already this season (88 yards per game and three touchdowns), and Chuba Hubbard has been serviceable out of the backfield.

The Vikings defense is league average in defensive success rate and I expect both offenses to find the end zone often on Sunday. Darnold can push closer to 300 yards in this matchup that should be higher scoring than expected, which brings me to my next point.

This is Not the New York Jets Sam Darnold

Darnold struggled in New York with the Jets, and last Sunday he looked like his old self, but he has thrived this season under offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Darnold passed for 279 yards in Week 1 and had three straight games of 300 or more yards before the 177 yard dud in Week 5.

Brady has done a great job of putting the USC product in places to succeed on the field and this Vikings defense is a mediocre group. Darnold can respond off the poor performance.

This number is factoring in the narrative around the former Jets QB and not the new and improved Carolina version, I love this over.