Carolina Panthers (3-3) – Minnesota Vikings (3-3) : 28-34
They had been warned last week against the Lions. The Vikings, however, once again scared each other by playing small arms. With this attack, carried by the trio Cook (29 races, 140 yards, 1TD), Thielen (11 receptions, 126 yards, 1TD) and Jefferson (8 receptions, 80 yards) Minnesota should have killed the suspense long before. Very solid during the majority of the match, forcing 3 losses of ball, the defense seemed in great difficulty following the injury of Patrick Peterson.
Three games with Christian McCaffrey, three wins, three games without, three losses. The Panthers’ dependence on their running back risks costing them dearly. Imprecise and little helped by the (very) many drops from his receivers, Sam Darnold (17/41, 207 yards, 1TD, 1int) had a complicated meeting. Solid for most of the game, Carolina’s defense showed some logical signs of fatigue, having spent most of the game on the pitch.
Light advantage for Minnesota
The start of the meeting is complicated for both attacks. Sam Darnold is intercepted in the first action of the match, and Justin Jefferson lets the leather drop on contact. Two losses of ball which cost 3 points to the Panthers, and 7 to the Vikings.
In form, the attack of the Vikings scores points on its first 3 possessions. After two field goals, Kirk Cousins (33/48, 373 yards, 3TDs) finds Chris Herndon in the end zone. The 2-point conversion is missed, 7-12.
It’s more complicated for the locals who total only 108 yards at halftime. Benefiting from an interesting position on the field following a short punt, Carolina nevertheless managed to close the gap, 10-12.
A punt blocked as an electroshock
While both attacks are harmless, it is on the special team that the Panthers wake up this game. Jordan Berry’s punt is blocked, and Kenny Robinson takes the opportunity to restore the advantage to the locals.
The Vikings reacted immediately on both sides of the field. The attack first, will redo pass the purple in front with a possession of 80 yards concluded by Dalvin Cook. It is then the defense which will force a new loss of ball in the opposing camp. Adam Thielen took the opportunity to give his team an 8-point lead, 17-25.
The reception of this Sunday, it is there.
Adam Thielen, wow #Skol pic.twitter.com/IotqLbwg72
— TDActu.com – Actu NFL ???? (@TDActu) October 17, 2021
Always so amorphous in attack, the Panthers are starting to show signs of fatigue in defense and Cook takes advantage. The Vikings’ running back allows his team to advance enough to increase the score on foot, 17-28.
Unable to kill the game, Minnesota will, by dint of playing small, allow the Panthers to return. A first field goal, missed by Greg Joseph, gives Sam Darnold a good starting position. He took the opportunity to bring his team back to 8 points.
On his next possession, starting on his 2 yards, Carolina’s quarterback managed to go up all the field, converting the passage two fourth attempts. The 2-point conversion is successful, 28-28 with 35 seconds remaining.
Kirk Cousins puts on his service firefighter costume again, but Greg Joseph once again misses a 47-yard field goal, sending the two teams into overtime.
The last word for the Vikings
The first team in possession of the ball, Minnesota did what it takes not to return the ball. Carried by a serene cousins, and a sharp Dalvin Cook, the purples will seek a victory that they almost let slip thanks to a touchdown from KJ Osborn (6 receptions, 78 yards) 1TD.
KIRK TO KJ FOR THE WIN. #SKOL pic.twitter.com/EFtb0ZtHdX
— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2021
With this success, the Vikings find a balanced record just before their bye week, and an insane schedule. As for the Panthers, we will have to learn to live without McCaffrey, who should miss at least the next two meetings.
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