Ryan Longwell hit a 31-yard field goal with under three minutes to play while Olindo Mare missed a 31-yarder with 26 seconds left as Minnesota escaped with a 24-21 win over Carolina on Sunday. Christian Ponder was 18-of-28 for 236 yards and a touchdown while Adrian Peterson totaled 162 yards with a rushing and receiving TD for the Vikings (2-6), who snapped a two-game losing streak. "This was a great team win against a great opponent," said Ponder. "The defense came up with stops when we needed them to and everyone pitched in on that last drive. This was a good game all around." Cam Newton had three touchdown passes and went 22-for-35 with 290 yards, adding 53 yards on six rushes for the Panthers (2-6), who were coming off a win against Washington last Sunday. "Too many turnovers and too many penalties when we didn't need them," said Carolina head coach Ron Rivera. "We're too young of a team to overcome adversity like that and give Minnesota credit, they took advantage of our mistakes." Source: Sports Network
Cam Newton is going to be an elite QB sooner than later, and this seems to be shocking just about everyone...damn good player.
Carolina has some decent weapons. They need a 2 receiver and what else? Smith, Olsen, Shockey, Stewart, Williams...they need to get a run game going...