Flashback Friday: Vikings Win a Thriller against the Panthers in 2021 + Prediction
Ali Siddiqui
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The winless Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers are set to face off on Sunday in Charlotte.
Both teams are already in a big hole at 0-3. Going 0-4 would be that much more difficult for either team.
Flashback Friday: Vikings Win a Thriller against the Panthers in 2021 + Prediction
The last time these two teams faced each other came in 2021. Also at Bank of America Stadium.
Kirk Cousins went 33/48 for 373 yards and three touchdowns. Dalvin Cook rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Adam Thielen caught 11 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. Justin Jefferson caught eight passes for 80 yards, and K.J. Osborn caught six passes for 78 yards and the game-winning score in overtime.
“What I love about K.J. is his ability to go get it and his ability to finish,” Cousins said.
On defense, Harrison Smith recorded a game-high nine tackles.
For Carolina, Sam Darnold went 17/41 for 207 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Chuba Hubbard rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. D.J. Moore caught five receptions for 73 yards.
On defense, Sean Chandler, Keith Taylor, and Jermaine Carter tied for a game-high 10 tackles.
The Vikings won 34-28. Both teams were 3-3 after the game.
Minnesota leads the all-time series 10-6, including winning four of the past five.
Thielen is now in his first season playing for a different team after spending the previous 10 years in Minnesota. It should be fun watching him play against his old team, which was also his favorite team as a kid for the Detroit Lakes native.
Minnesota was 11-0 last season in one-score games. This year, they are already 0-3. They are not as good of a team this year, and bounces are not going their way either.
The outlook for the rest of the season is not looking good at the moment. A loss here would make things that much worse.
Only six teams since 1979 in NFL history have made the playoffs after starting 0-3. Making the playoffs after starting 0-2 is already difficult enough.
Turnovers have been a huge issue for Minnesota, and the defense has not improved much since last season. If turnovers were not a problem, they could be 2-1 or perhaps even 3-0 right now, but in the end, you are what your record says you are.
They are minus-seven in the turnover battle, tied with the Las Vegas Raiders for worst in the league.
This is another game Minnesota has a good chance at winning, but will they finally get their first win of the season? Do not be surprised if they do, but do not be surprised if they do not.
Even if they win, the outlook for the rest of the season is not good. Plenty of tough games ahead. Losing at Philadelphia was expected, but the home games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers were games they absolutely should have won.
Prediction: Vikings lose 24-20
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