Vikings 24, Panthers 21
Ryan Longwell atoned for an earlier miss with a 31-yard field goal with 2:47 left, and Olindo Mare missed from the same distance with a chance to tie it as the Minnesota Vikings held on for a 24-21 road win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
In a matchup of rookie quarterbacks, Minnesota's Christian Ponder held his own with top overall pick Cam Newton. In his second start, Ponder passed for 236 yards and a touchdown and did not throw an interception.
Ponder got a big assist from Adrian Peterson, who led the Vikings in rushing (86 yards) and receiving (76 yards) and scored on a 9-yard run and a 19-yard reception.
Newton again put up big passing numbers, throwing for 290 yards and three touchdowns, but he also lost two fumbles, both of which set up Vikings touchdowns. Minnesota's first two touchdown drives started at the Carolina 16 and the Carolina 39 after Newton fumbles.
Newton's biggest pass came on fourth-and-14 with less than two minutes left, when he hit Brandon LaFell for a 44-yard gain to the Minnesota 21. That got the Panthers into position for a potential tying field goal, but Mare's kick sailed wide left.