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After a three-game homestand, the Minnesota Vikings will be on the road. They will square off against the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. ET next Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. The Vikings will be strutting in after a win while Carolina will be stumbling in from a defeat.
Things were close when Minnesota and the Detroit Lions clashed on Sunday, but Minnesota ultimately edged out the opposition 19-17. The overall outcome was to be expected, but Detroit made it more of a contest than the oddsmakers had predicted. Among those leading the charge for Minnesota was RB Alexander Mattison, who picked up 113 yards on the ground on 25 carries in addition to snatching one receiving TD. Mattison's performance made up for a slower game against the Cleveland Browns last week.
Special teams collected 13 points for the Vikings. K Greg Joseph booted in four field goals, the longest a 55-yarder in the fourth quarter, which ultimately accounted for the difference in the matchup.
Speaking of close games: it was a hard-fought contest, but the Panthers had to settle for a 21-18 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. QB Sam Darnold had a memorable game, but not in the way you want to be remembered: despite one touchdown, he threw three interceptions with only 4.78 yards per passing attempt.
Most of the squad's points came courtesy of special teams, which contributed ten. K Zane Gonzalez delivered a perfect 3-for-3 game.
The Vikings are now 2-3 while Carolina sits at a mirror-image 3-2. Minnesota is 0-1 after wins this season, and Carolina is 0-1 after losses.
