Week 12 Recap: Carolina Panthers vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings kept their playoff hopes alive with a last-minute victory against the Carolina Panthers.

First Quarter

Carolina started the game punting after just four plays. The Vikings turned around and Kirk Cousins led a 14-play drive finishing with a 12-yard TD pass to rookie sensation Justin Jefferson for a 7-0 lead.

Second Quarter

Teddy Bridgewater was driving the Panthers down the field and got all the way to the Vikings 12. He was promptly intercepted by Eric Kendricks. Minnesota did nothing with the opportunity and punted.

Bridgewater took the second chance and drove down the field from his own 19 eventually hitting Robbie Anderson for a 41-yard TD to tie the game 7-7.

The half ended with a 53-yard field goal from Dan Bailey to give the Vikings the 10-7 lead heading into halftime

Third Quarter

On the opening drive of the second half, Cousins is sacked by Zach Kerr and fumbles. Jeremy Chinn recovers the ball and returns it 17 yards for the defensive TD. Eight seconds later, Chinn does it again and returns the fumble 28 yards for another TD giving the Panthers a 21-10 lead.

After a five-play drive which ends in a punt, Carolina has the ball back. Bridgewater moves down the field on the back of completions to D.J. Moore and Anderson. They finally stall at the Vikings’ 10-yard line only to watch Joey Slye get his 28-yard field goal attempt blocked.

Fourth Quarter

After making it to the Panthers’ six-yard line, the Vikings had to settle for a Bailey field goal to bring the game within eight, 21-13.

The Panthers respond with their own 40-yard field goal and pull back to an 11-point lead.

After three catches and 40 yards from Cousins to Olabisi Johnson, the Vikings’ QB hit Jefferson for a 10-yard TD strike. Cousins gives Johnson the two-point conversion and Minnesota pulls within three.

The Vikings force the Panthers to punt but Chad Beebe muffs the punt and Carolina recovers. The Vikings make an important defensive stand and hold the Panthers to a field goal to keep the game 27-21.

With two minutes left, Cousins goes to work and carves up the Carolina defense. Finally finding Beebe in the end zone making up for his mistake. The extra point was initially blocked and the game looked like it might be headed for extra time, but the Panthers were offsides. Bailey hits the kick on his second try and the Vikings walk away with a victory.