The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NFC SOUTH RACE
Vikings fail to clinch NFC North as win streak ends at eight.
Panthers move into tie for lead, deny North clincher for Vikings,
Cam Newton
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — delivered the body blow and Jonathan Stewart provided the knockout punch for Carolina.
Newton’s 62-yard run set up Stewart’s 1-yard touchdown leap — his third TD run of the day — with 1:47 remaining to lift the Panthers to a 31-24 victory Sunday, snapping the Minnesota Vikings’ eight-game win streak.
Stewart accounted for 103 of Carolina’s 216 yards rushing — including a 60-yard touchdown burst in the first quarter — against the league’s second-ranked defense, as the Panthers pre- vented the Vikings (10-3) from clinching the NFC North division title.
Newton’s run turned out to be
the play of the game.
After Carolina squandered an 11-point fourth-quarter lead, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound quarterback rolled out to his left, saw an open
ing and was off to the races before being pulled down at the Vikings’ 8-yard line. Newton joked after the game that he got tackled on purpose.
“It was very strategic, when I think back,” he said with a smile. “Because if I would have scored, they would have had all of their timeouts left. So I felt like, hey, let me flip this car back into third gear.”
The Vikings did use all of their timeouts, but the Panthers still scored. The Vikings turned the ball over on downs on their final possession.
“There’s only one guy in the league that is doing that,” tight end Greg Olsen said of Newton’s scramble. “We had everything against us and we had struggled
out last three possessions. And for him to pop something that like, that was huge.”
Said Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph: “He is big, strong, and can throw the ball. He is a firstround draft pick, a Heisman Trophy winner and a great player.”
Newton threw for 137 yards and a touchdown and ran for 75 yards as the Panthers (9-4) recorded their third 200-yard rushing game of the season to move into a tie with the New Orleans Saints atop the NFC South.
Carolina’s defense did its job as well, sacking Case Keenum six times, forcing three turnovers and coming up with a crucial stop late to force a field goal.
“We turned the ball over three times and gave up 200-plus yards rushing. That’s not like us,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said.
The Vikings turned to Jerick McKinnon after Latavius Murray could find no room on the ground and was held to 14 yards rushing on nine carries.
McKinnon was the more effective back, rushing for 46 yards on seven carries.
Even with the loss, the Vikings
could have clinched the division title had the Green Bay Packers
and Detroit Lions also both lost. Instead, both division rivals won in overtime.
“We need to get this division wrapped up, but to do that, we have to play better football,” Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph said.