The Minnesota Vikings were able to find a way to win, despite the fact that they did not have a great day on offense and were out gained by the Panthers offense.

One key when you don't get many yards is to take full advantage of the opportunities that you are given. On their first possession of the game, they started off just 45 yards out of the end zone. With a short field like that it only took them six plays to drive down the field and get into the end zone for a 4 yard Kyle Rudolph touchdown. They also had a key play when Charles Johnson was able to scamper up the field on a short pass for a gain of 24 yards.

Then they found another way to score on special teams. Adam Thielen would be johnny on the spot. The Vikings rookie wide receiver would block the Panthers punt and return it 30 yards for a Vikings touchdown to give them an early 14-0 lead. It turns out that was all the points they needed in this contest.

Before the opening quarter was complete, the Panthers would drive the ball down the field to the Vikings red zone, but then after 13 plays, they would end up settling for a 30 yard field goal by Graham Gano. The Vikings would make another special teams play on the next Panthers possession though, as Everson Griffin would block yet another Panthers punt and return it 43 yards this time to put the Vikings up 21-3. Gano would add another field goal on their next drive, this time just from 35 yards out as the Panthers kept settling for field goals instead of touchdowns.

The Vikings would add another touchdown before the half when Teddy Bridgewater would find Greg Jennings for a 17 yard touchdown reception. The Vikings took a 28-6 lead into the half based primarily on two special teams touchdowns and they just wouldn't look back from there as their defense kept shutting down the Panthers offense. They only gave up one touchdown in the game when Cam Newton found Philly Brown for a 32 yard touchdown in the third quarter. Blair Walsh would tack on his one field goal of the game in the final period. That would bring it to the final of 31-13 and that was all she wrote for this contest.

Next week the Minnesota Vikings (5-7) will be looking to make it two wins in a row as they will face the New York Jets at home. The Carolina Panthers (3-8-1) will go back home for a critical NFC South contest against the New Orleans Saints.