Harrison Smith, Justin Jefferson lead Vikings to road win over Panthers
It was far from pretty but the Minnesota Vikings won their first game of the season, 21-13, over the Carolina Panthers Sunday in Charlotte – and it was Harrison Smith and Justin Jefferson leading the charge.
Leading 21-13 with the Panthers facing fourth-and-goal from the Vikings' 18-yard line, Smith sacked rookie quarterback Bryce Young for the third time to put the game on ice and give Minnesota a 1-3 record heading into next week's showdown in Minneapolis with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Vikings' opening drive looked like it would set the tone for a dominating day but it went backwards after a touchdown to Justin Jefferson was overturned by a holding penalty on tight end Josh Oliver. And then chaos struck when Kirk Cousins threw left and Sam Franklin Jr. intercepted him and raced 99 yards for a touchdown.
Minnesota then went three-and-out and the Panthers responded with a field goal for a 10-0 lead. The Vikings came back on the next drive and nearly lost a fumbled snap only to luckily fall on it and then see Cousins hit Jefferson for a short touchdown on the next play, cutting the Carolina lead to 10-7.
Cousins's second interception came with 40 seconds left in the second quarter. The Vikings had the ball first-and-10 at the Carolina 21 when Cousins was hit as he threw and the ball lofted in the air and was easily picked off by was firing a pass when he was hit by Kamu Grugier-Hill.
Key stats:
- Kirk Cousins: 12 of 18 for 139 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
- Justin Jefferson: 6 catches for 85 yards and 2 TD
- Alexander Mattison: 17 carries for 95 yards
- Cam Akers: 5 carries for 40 yards
- Adam Thielen (Carolina): 7 catches for 76 yards
That turnover resulted in three points when Eddie Piniero drilled a 56-yard field goal to end the first half, giving the Panthers a 13-7 lead. Minnesota has been on the wrong end of long field goals a lot this season. In the opener, the Bucs' Chase McLaughlin hit a 57-yarder in the fourth quarter to beat the Vikings. And in the Thursday night game against the Eagles, Jake Elliott hit a 61-yarder at the half.
After trading punts to start the third quarter, the Panthers pulled a Vikings with a costly turnover when Bryce Young was stripped by Harrison Smith and linebacker D.J. Wonnum scooped up the the loose ball and lumbered 51 yards for a touchdown and a 14-13 lead.
Momentum continued as the defense forced a punt and four plays later Cousins hit Jefferson for a 30-yard touchdown on the final play of the third quarter.
Leading 21-13, the defense again forced a Carolina punt but the offense failed when given the opportunity to put the game out of reach. Instead of driving the down the field, chewing up clock and coming away with points to make it a two-score game, the Vikings went four plays and punted, giving the Panthers another chance with 7:32 left to play.
Carolina went 65 yards in 11 plays, setting the stage for a fourth-and-1 from the Minnesota 13-yard line at the two-minute warning. The result: Chuba Hubbard ran for a first time, setting up first-and-goal at the 9-yard line.
Young's pass on first-and-goal was tipped and on second down Young was sacked for a second time by Smith. On third-and-goal from the 18-yard line Young's pass was incomplete and on fourth down Young was sacked by Smith to essentially put the game on ice.
