A Brief Look At Panthers/Vikings History

The Carolina Panthers haven't been around for a terribly long time, but during their existence they've held their own pretty well against the Minnesota Vikings. In ten career match-ups, the Panthers have actually outscored the Vikings head-to-head, but the Vikings have a slim edge in the win column.

As always, the data that we'll be sharing with you here comes from the good folks at Pro Football Reference.

Total Games Between the Vikings and the Panthers: 10

All-Time Record: Vikings, 6-4

Total Vikings Points Scored Head-to-Head: 173 (17.3/game)

Total Panthers Points Scored Head-to-Head: 196 (19.6/game)

Longest Vikings Winning Streak: 3 (6 October 1996 - 19 November 2000)

Longest Panthers Winning Streak: 3 (9 September 2001 - 30 October 2005)

Most Recent Vikings Victory in Minnesota: 21 September 2008 (Final score 20-10)

Most Recent Panthers Victory in Minnesota: 22 September 2002 (Final score 21-14)

Biggest Vikings Victory in Minnesota: 14 points, 19 November 2000 (Final score 31-17)

Biggest Panthers Victory in Minnesota: 11 points, 9 September 2001 (Final score 24-13)

And a few other miscellaneous bits of info. . .

-Of the ten match-ups between these two teams, seven of them have taken place at the Metrodome. The Vikings are 5-2 against Carolina on their home field.

-The 2001 match-up between the two teams was somewhat unique. It was the season opener, and the game started with a rookie wide receiver named Steve Smith taking the opening kickoff back for a score. The Panthers won that game, 24-13. . .and then proceeded to lose fifteen straight to end the season. Yes, the 2001 Vikings were bad enough to be the "1" in Carolina's 1-15 campaign.

-The last match-up between these two teams happened in 2011 in Carolina, and featured two rookie quarterbacks in Cam Newton and Christian Ponder. The Vikings held on to win, 24-21, as Carolina's last-second field goal attempt to tie sailed wide left off the foot of Olindo Mare.

-Adrian Peterson has not performed spectacularly against the Panthers in his career. In three games, he's carried the ball 49 times for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He's done some of his best receiving work against the Panthers, as he's averaged 18.6 yards/catch against Carolina on 8 grabs.

-Matt Cassel, who will start for Minnesota at quarterback, has never faced the Carolina Panthers.

And that's a brief look at the history between these two teams. The Vikings won the last game between these two teams (their only victory in Carolina). . .hopefully they can start a winning streak against Cam Newton and company on Sunday in the friendly confines of the Metrodome.