2016 NFL Picks Week 3: Los Angeles Rams Take On Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher reacts during a NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher reacts during a NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
7 of 16
Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) runs after a catch in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) runs after a catch in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers Over Vikings

As if the Carolina Panthers weren’t already loaded enough with weapons on offense, Kelvin Benjamin makes this team even more dangerous as the wide receiver has wasted no time making an impact in the passing game.

Even though they still found a way to reach the Super Bowl, losing Benjamin (ACL) for all of 2015 was devastating for the Panthers when considering the advantage he has with his size. Carolina already faced one of the leagues top defenses in the Denver Broncos in Week 1, and they’ll be heavily tested again when they square off against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings are coming off an impressive win against the Packers as Sam Bradford looked sharp during his first start, but losing Adrian Peterson won’t be easy to overcome. The key factor in this one could come down to whether the Panthers can contain Stefon Diggs in the passing game after the wideout had a field day against Green Bay’s secondary.

It’s not going to be easy, but Carolina’s managed to shutdown big-name receivers before and seems to be in much better shape than Minnesota. With two of the best defenses squaring off against each other, this could turn into an epic showdown between the Panthers and Vikings.

Schedule