Minnesota Vikings stock market report: Week 3 vs Carolina Panthers

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Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) in the fourth quarter. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Vikings were able to hold the Panthers to only 10 points, and the biggest reason was because of their ability to make Cam Newton uncomfortable in the pocket. The Panthers only allowed 2.1 sacks per game in 2015, but the Vikings were able to rack up 8 sacks on the day to go along with 12 quarterback hits.

Everson Griffen led the Vikings with three sacks, which was even more impressive when you consider he needed to go into the locker room during the game to get an IV because he was sick. Griffen was the biggest disruption, but five other Vikings players registered sacks on the day. Fellow defensive linemen Linval Joseph, Brian Robison and Danielle Hunter were able to bring Newton down, with Hunter’s sack having extra importance because it was for a safety. Not wanting to be outdone by the defensive line, Anthony Barr and Harrison Smith also got into the action.

All in all, it was a very impressive day for every level of the Vikings’ defense. If the defense is able to keep up this level of play, the Vikings will be very difficult to beat.

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