Vikings Peterson to Play with Heavy Heart vs Panthers

Tragedy is nothing new to the Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson. Unfortunately he has had to deal with the deaths of loved ones before. His brother and brother law met untimely deaths during the star’s playing career. However, this time the loss was his two-year old son. To make things worse, his son was taken through the violence of an adult.

Peterson will play today, but how he will play is anyone’s guess. Sometimes players can take a tragedy and take it out on their opponents. It that is the case, then watch out if you are the Carolina Panthers. Football is insignificant when faced with something like the loss of a child through a senseless act of violence. But it could be three hours of therapy for Peterson and his loved ones.  An extra motivated Peterson could be really something. He is already the best in the game on a normal day.

The Panthers need a win in the worst way. Cam Newton may start hearing the boo birds in Charlotte if they come back at 1-4. The Panthers have stated slowly in both of Newton’s first two seasons and are at it again in his third year. Patience may soon run thin in Charlotte, especially with so many young quarterbacks having success in the NFL. Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III have all been to the playoffs. E. J. Manuel, Geno Smith and Ryan Tannehill have also rejuvenated their teams as well. All of them came into the game after Newton.

Last week, the Panthers managed a paltry six points against the Arizona Cardinals to fall to 1-3. The Vikings also come into the game at 1-3 following a win in London over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth week followed by a bye last week.

In other NFC North action, the Green Bay Packers will look to move over the .500 mark with a win at the defending Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. The quarterback match between Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco will make this one fun to watch. The Ravens have been known as a ground-and-pound team in their history, but under Flacco, they now have some offense. Flacco has yet to get it going so far this season, but he seems to play well in the bigger games.

The Packers are 2-2 but have played a tough schedule. They have two close losses, both on the road to the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals. They could use a close road win against a good team for their confidence.