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Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers: PFM Team Comparison

The Minnesota Vikings hold a clear overall advantage over the Carolina Panthers in the current PFM ratings. Minnesota separates itself through the stronger coaching operation and the deeper roster.

Current PFM Team Scores

Clear edgeMIN

Minnesota Vikings

79.0PFM Team Score#17 NFL
CAR

Carolina Panthers

72.1PFM Team Score#30 NFL
Swap Teams Clear Comparison
PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Minnesota Vikings Higher

Kevin O'Connell gives the Minnesota Vikings the stronger coaching operation. Preparation and in-game answers matter once the opening script no longer controls the game. The Carolina Panthers are closest in qb stability, where the teams remain essentially even.

Minnesota also brings the deeper roster. Minnesota adds the stronger defense. The counterargument matters, but it does not erase Minnesota's clear overall advantage.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Minnesota vs. Carolina Across the Core Pillars

The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.

MINMinnesota Vikings
CARCarolina Panthers
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Minnesota Vikings 76.4, Carolina Panthers 74.9, edge MIN +1.5; Offense: Minnesota Vikings 77.2, Carolina Panthers 72.4, edge MIN +4.8; Defense: Minnesota Vikings 82.0, Carolina Panthers 75.1, edge MIN +6.9; Coaching Direction: Minnesota Vikings 82.2, Carolina Panthers 70.8, edge MIN +11.4; Roster Depth: Minnesota Vikings 79.1, Carolina Panthers 69.3, edge MIN +9.8. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
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CAROLINA’S BEST PUSHBACK

QB Stability Is Carolina’s Only Close Fight

Bryce Young gives Carolina one place to push back. Carolina sits only 1.5 points behind Minnesota in QB Stability, but close is not the same as an edge. Minnesota still has the deeper roster and Kevin O'Connell leading the coaching staff, two advantages the Panthers cannot match in this comparison.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

MIN79.0
Minnesota Vikings 79.0
CAR72.1
Carolina Panthers 72.1
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Overall NFL Rank

MIN#17
Minnesota Vikings #17
CAR#30
Carolina Panthers #30
Minnesota Vikings ranks higher

QB Stability

MIN76.4
Minnesota Vikings 76.4
CAR74.9
Carolina Panthers 74.9
Slight Minnesota Vikings edge

Roster Strength

MIN79.1
Minnesota Vikings 79.1
CAR69.3
Carolina Panthers 69.3
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Coaching Direction

MIN82.2
Minnesota Vikings 82.2
CAR70.8
Carolina Panthers 70.8
Major Minnesota Vikings edge

Recent Performance

MIN79.9
Minnesota Vikings 79.9
CAR74.0
Carolina Panthers 74.0
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Offense

MIN77.2
Minnesota Vikings 77.2
CAR72.4
Carolina Panthers 72.4
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Defense

MIN82.0
Minnesota Vikings 82.0
CAR75.1
Carolina Panthers 75.1
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Franchise Direction

MIN77.0
Minnesota Vikings 77.0
CAR71.9
Carolina Panthers 71.9
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Explosiveness

MIN77.1
Minnesota Vikings 77.1
CAR71.7
Carolina Panthers 71.7
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Conference Rank

MIN#8
Minnesota Vikings #8
CAR#16
Carolina Panthers #16
Minnesota Vikings ranks higher

Division Rank

MIN#4
Minnesota Vikings #4
CAR#4
Carolina Panthers #4
Even rank

Outlook

MINIn the Playoff MixCARNeeds More Help
Stronger outlook: Minnesota Vikings
TEAM CONSTRUCTION

How These Teams Are Built Differently

Minnesota Vikings

Strongest Rating
Coaching Direction
Category Edge
Coaching Direction
Biggest Matchup Concern
No clear matchup concern

Minnesota's clearest category edge is Coaching Direction. The Minnesota Vikings have the stronger coaching operation under Kevin O'Connell against the Carolina Panthers. The advantage shows up in preparation, adjustments and pressure situations. Carolina does not own a separate category that creates a major matchup concern.

Carolina Panthers

Strongest Rating
Defense
Category Edge
None in this matchup
Biggest Matchup Concern
Coaching Direction

Carolina's strongest current rating is Defense, but Minnesota still leads that category. The biggest problem in this matchup is Coaching Direction, where Minnesota owns the clearer advantage.

SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Minnesota Vikings

Full schedule rank: #17

Toughest stretch: Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers

Strongest opponents: San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills

View Minnesota Vikings Road Ahead

Carolina Panthers

Full schedule rank: #19

Toughest stretch: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles

View Carolina Panthers Road Ahead

Minnesota has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 17. The strongest opponents include San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills. Carolina gains one meaningful schedule advantage, while Minnesota still owns the stronger football advantages elsewhere.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated September 8, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 2026.

How to Read This Comparison

PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.

PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams