Flashback: Minnesota Vikings slip past Panthers in 2020
By Ali Siddiqui
Back in 2020, the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers had a hard-fought game where the purple and gold came out on top.
The 2-3 Minnesota Vikings and 3-2 Carolina Panthers are set to face off on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. The Vikings lead the all-time series 9-6 and won in their previous meeting against the Panthers last season at U.S. Bank Stadium.
It has been a disappointing loss to the start of the season for Minnesota. They won last week at home against the Detroit Lions, but it was far from an impressive win. Yes, a win is a win, but that game should not have been that close. Starting 3-3 would not be impressive, especially with how many tough games are ahead, but it would certainly be a step in the right direction. Every win makes a big difference even if it is an ugly one like last week.
Minnesota has yet to win on the road this season. Both losses came by a total of four points. Road games are usually tough and this game could very well go either way, but Carolina being without star running back Christian McCaffrey should help, especially with how much Minnesota’s run defense has been.
The season may not be over if they fall to 2-4, but it would certainly be put them in a tough hole. If the schedule going forward was not very difficult it would not be as bad, but nonetheless being 2-4 is usually tough to come back from.
The Minnesota Vikings came away with a narrow victory over the Carolina Panthers in their previous meeting with them.
The last time these two teams met came in the Twin Cities in Week 12 of the 2020 season. The Vikings won 28-27.
Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 34 out of 45 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Jefferson caught seven passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Chad Beebe caught seven passes for 63 yards, including the game-winning touchdown with 46 seconds remaining. Eric Kendricks recorded 12 tackles and an interception on the defensive side.
For Carolina, former Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater completed 19 out of 36 passes for 267 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. Robby Anderson had four receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Safety Jeremy Chinn had a game-high 13 tackles and returned two fumble recoveries for touchdowns.
Carolina kicker Joey Slye missed a 54-yard kick with a second remaining.
"“We made it thrilling there at the end,” head coach Mike Zimmer said via ESPN, “but we got it done.”"
With the win, Minnesota improved to 5-6 on the season and finished at 7-9. Carolina dropped to 4-8 with the loss and finished at 5-11.