The Carolina Panthers earned an important win over the Minnesota Vikings to keep their hopes of a strong playoff run alive.
At 9-4 and second in the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers are in a fight to hold onto a playoff spot heading into the 2017 postseason. They helped that push by getting a 31-24 victory over the second place Minnesota Vikings. The Panthers held on to pull out the victory and after the drumming that the organization suffered at the hands of the New Orleans Saints last week, this was a victory that Carolina needed.
In the last few seasons the Carolina Panthers have built an effective offense that can move the ball and put points on the board. However, those abilities have not translated into victories against the best defensive units in the league season after season. Everyone sorely remembers Super Bowl 50 where Carolina fell to the top defense in the league in the Denver Broncos. Many were expecting the Panthers to continue their struggles against the Vikings on Sunday, and even though the game was close late, Carolina overcame the Vikings D when it mattered.
It was the run game that boosted the Panthers to this victory. Coming into this game the Vikings were the number two team in rushing defense, allowing only a total of 932 yards this season and 77.7 yards per game. Carolina blew those totals to pieces as they gained 216 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. This is the second highest output for the Panthers this season and the first time that a team has gained more than 120 yards against the Vikings all season.
Jonathan Stewart gained 6.4 yards per outing for a total of 103 yards and each of the Panthers touchdowns. This was a big game for Stewart in what many believe to be his last year as a part of the organization. This is just the second time this season where he’s earned more than 100 yards and he doubled his touchdown total in one game. To go along with Stewart’s production, Cam Newton added a big 62-yard rush and 70 yards total, while Christian McCaffrey added 35 of his own.
The passing game didn’t perform as well in this outing. Newton completed 13 of 25 attempts for 137 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. That interception almost cost the Panthers the game as it put the Vikings in a prime position to score late in the game. Devin Funchess continues to be the main target for Newton as he ended the game with 3 receptions for 59 yards and one touchdown. Outside of that, Newton passed the ball around well as 11 different receivers were targeted.
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Dropping the Vikings to 10-3 is an important moment that “saves” the remainder of the Panthers season. After dropping the game to the Saints last season, Carolina were in a position in which the season could spiral downward. Instead, the Panthers righted the ship and earned a big win on Sunday. With three games remaining this season the Panthers are in “must-win” situations each time they take the field.