Here are five things to know about Panthers-Vikings:
While Newton is still the unquestioned cornerstone of the franchise, he hasn't improved on a promising rookie year when he passed for more than 4,000 yards and totaled 35 touchdowns between the air and the ground. Last week, the Panthers were stifled by Arizona in 22-6. They gave up seven sacks, and while Newton passed for 308 yards he threw three interceptions without a score.
Frazier is 17-25 and Rivera is 14-22, and with each team struggling so far, they're both facing pressure to secure their status beyond this year.
"During this early stretch of the season we've tried to pick each other up at times," Frazier said, adding: "I just try and encourage him as best I can and share some insight from my perspective, and he does the same thing with me."

PETERSON'S PACE: Adrian Peterson had a 78-yard touchdown run for the Vikings on their first play of the year and broke free for a 60-yard score in their last game against the Steelers, but otherwise the first quarter of his season has been relatively quiet. Still, he's on pace for 1,684 yards and a whopping 20 touchdowns rushing.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The top of the 2011 draft was stacked with quarterbacks, starting with Carolina's unquestioned first overall pick of Cam Newton.
"It's more competition, which ultimately makes everyone better,Cheap World Cup Jerseys 2018," Ponder said this week, doing his best effort toward diplomacy.
OLD FRIENDS: Panthers coach Ron Rivera and Vikings coach Leslie Frazier played together for Chicago's stingy defense in the mid-1980s, and Frazier was the one who encouraged Rivera to get into coaching after their days with the Bears were done. They also spent four seasons together as assistants for the Eagles from 1999-2002. They still talk once or twice per week.
Cases of instant,Wholesale Jerseys China, sustained success at this critical position are rare, though, as Newton and Ponder and their teams have been reminded. Even in their third years on the job, the Panthers and Vikings have experienced plenty of growing pains.
Ponder might have played his last game for the Vikings. After three more turnover-filled, up-and-down performances to start the season, all losses, he broke a rib and was replaced by Matt Cassel in a win over Pittsburgh. Then the Vikings signed the suddenly available Josh Freeman, and Ponder's future in Minnesota is murky at best.
"Leslie's probably one of the few people I can honestly say I do turn to for guidance in more ways than one, not just in an everyday but in the spiritual sense,China Jerseys," Rivera said. "Leslie is just one of those really good people you can always rely on."
This week,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, statistics seemed irrelevant, though. Peterson's 2-year-old son died Friday in South Dakota after severe head injuries, and a man there was charged with aggravated assault and battery in the child's death.
Cassel is expected to start Sunday against Carolina,Cheap Nike Air Max 90 Womens, another 1-3 team with passing issues.
Down the list a bit was Christian Ponder, taken by Minnesota with the 12th selection. Six quarterbacks were drafted in the top 36.
SMITH SUCCESS: Starting with his kickoff return for a touchdown to start his career, in the 2001 season at Minnesota,Wholesale Jerseys Authentic, Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has thrived against the Vikings. In five matchups since his debut, he's totaled 36 receptions for 609 yards and four scores. The Vikings so far this year have allowed an average of 326 yards passing per game, tied for third most in the league.
RUNNING GAME GROUNDED: After totaling 291 yards over the first three games, DeAngelo Williams came back from the bye without much of a bang. The Cardinals held him to 39 yards on 12 carries, though Newton and Mike Tolbert totaled 56 yards on eight attempts. The Panthers lost another starting guard to a season-ending knee injury last week, though, and now have Travelle Wharton and Chris Scott in those spots instead of Garry Williams and Amini Silatolu.
"I have to be more consistent," Newton said, "whether it's the obvious or just something like carrying out my fake or just putting the ball a little bit more out in front of the receiver."
Peterson said he was sure he would play Sunday.
STRUGGLING SECONDARY: Speaking of that Minnesota pass defense, cornerback Chris Cook and safety Jamarca Sanford are expected back in the starting lineup after missing the last game because o