The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Carolina Panthers by the score of 24 to 21 after Olindo Mare missed a field goal which would have tied the game. Of course I am not blaming this loss on Mare but he sure didn’t make things better.

The Carolina Panthers lost two of three fumbles and this helped the Minnesota Vikings beat them. At least the penalties were better than in past games with six for 60 yards. The Carolina Panthers also averaged 5.1 yards per rushing attempt which is excellent for a NFL team.

The once sieve like Carolina Panthers run defense even played decently at times holding Adrian Peterson to 86 yards on a workman like 21 carries. Adrian Peterson did score two touchdowns though, one rushing and one receiving. Linebacker Omar Gaither had seven tackles while safety Charles Godfrey added seven solo and two assists.

Rookie Christian Ponder played very well completing 18 of 28 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown. Cam Newton did well in the passing game against the Vikings.Newton completed 22 of 35 passes for 290 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. However Cam Newton fumbled twice and the team lost them both to the Vikings.

Steve Smith had a nice game against the Vikings with seven receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown. Greg Olsen had four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown and Shockey scored on his only catch. Legedu Naanee had a nice game with five receptions for 49 yards and didn’t seem as fearful of contact as in the past.

The fumbles really hurt the Carolina Panthers but I was pleased with the effort of the team. The run defense is getting better each week and hopefully special teams play will be addressed during the upcoming bye week.

The problem for the Carolina Panthers and all NFL teams during the bye is the new practice rules. The teams must give the players five straight days off that in past years would have been used for practice.