Check out the NFC North and NFC South divisions and you’ll find the Vikings and the Buccaneers roaring as both the teams are ending the year on a high note. Thanks to QB Sam Darnold’s personal best gameplay, the Vikings clinched a thriller win over the Packers. On the other hand, Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers to another win for the roster against the Panthers. Speaking of the struggling Panthers, Charissa Thompson remembers both the star QBs who once played together for the Carolina team.

No wonder both the star QBs are eyeing the Super Bowl title, but in the end, only one will take the crown. And Thompson knows it very well. She shared a story on her Instagram handle for Darnold and Mayfield. “One of many reasons I love sports…it’s not over until it’s over. Bravo. Good for you guys,” Thompson wrote, praising both the QBs.

Perhaps the last thing Darnold and Mayfield would want is to play against each other in the Super Bowl, given both of them were the top three picks in the 2018 NFL draft. However, there’s no denying that while Darnold’s Vikings are bringing out a storm this season, Mayfield’s Buccaneers have more twists than a thriller movie.

The Mayfield and Co. crushed the Panthers 48-14 and sit at the top of the NFC South with an 88% chance to clinch a playoff berth. Amassing 359 yards in 27 of 32 pass attempts, Mayfield racked up 5 touchdown passes with no interceptions. And that’s not all for the ex-Panthers QB. Mayfield has amassed over 4,200 yards and racked up 39 TD passes this season so far. “He really played a heck of a ballgame, intelligently,” said the Buccaneers’ HC, Todd Bowles,

On the other hand, the Vikings scored their 9th consecutive win of the season, but that, folks, wasn’t the only highlight of the game. It’s the QB, Darnold, who amassed 377 yards and racked up 3 TDs. Talk about a killer duo. If only they were still playing for the Panthers, who are struggling with certain O-line issues, it’d probably be a blessing.

Carolina Panthers: Struggling season or struggling offense?

Carolina team’s summary of this season? A season that they most probably want to forget moving forward, especially the way their O-line came out on the field. The fact is as simple as that the O-line is struggling to protect the QB, Bryce Young. Not to forget the recent loss to the Dallas Cowboys, where they allowed 6 sacks in the second half itself.

However, the rookie head coach, Dave Canales, didn’t hold back from addressing the offensive struggles. Although he gave Young some props for making the most of what he had to work with, stating, “Bryce has done a great job of just taking what’s available and attacking you know based on the looks we saw.” 

At the same time, he also admitted that there were too many close calls and missed chances. “Sometimes the ball doesn’t go to you know your number one receiver at times and so yes I would love to get those guys the ball,” he further stated. As far as the rookie wideout, Xavier Legette is concerned, the HC is all in giving him the opportunity. “We need Xavier to figure out how to get his surface the way he needs it,” the HC stated.

Well, one of the few things that worked out for the Panthers is the wide receiver Adam Thielen. The guy now has 43 catches, amassed over 550 yards, and racked up 5 TDs so far. And as we all know, the rookie coach is not shying away from praising his players. “It’s just his competitive nature and his ability to go to the next play. I truly believe that Adam, in his mind, is like, ‘This next one’s going to be a big one.’”Canales said.

Though, the Carolina team is done for the season with one game still remaining on the schedule. However, coach Canales, who’s all set to stick with the roster for the next 5 seasons, will surely want to make things better for the team going forward.