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The second quarter at Bank of America stadium had the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers tied at 7-7, but the Panthers were deep in Minnesota territory. They found the end zone once again, as Jonathan Stewart went in for his second score of the afternoon, this one a 1-yard plunge that put the home team back on top by a score of 14-7 after the Graham Gano extra point.
There wasn’t a whole lot of movement by either offense for a few drives after that, but the Vikings did manage to push far enough into Carolina territory for a 30-yard Kai Forbath field goal to cut the deficit to 14-10 with about five minutes left in the quarter. It looked like the Vikings had gotten a 4-yard touchdown pass from Keenum to Adam Thielen, but it was taken off the board on replay. Minnesota had to settle for a second Forbath field goal, as he connected from 22 yards out to make it 14-13 going into the locker room.
Keenum has been under siege all day, but has only taken one sack thus far. He has completed 13-of-24 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Jerick McKinnon is leading the Minnesota ground game as he has 46 yards on seven carries, and Keenum has 34 yards on four scramble attempts as well. It’s been tougher for Latavius Murray, who has just five yards on four attempts in the first half.
Kyle Rudolph has been the favored target for Keenum thus far, as he has 41 yards and a touchdown on three receptions. Adam Thielen has three catches for 31 yards, and Laquon Treadwell has come to life, picking up 23 yards on a pair of catches and drawing a big pass interference penalty at the end of the second quarter. Stefon Diggs has 18 yards on two catches, and Murray (4 yards), McKinnon (3 yards), and Blake Bell (1 yard) each have one reception.
That’s where we stand going into the locker room at halftime, folks, with the Vikings trailing by a count of 14-13. Can the Vikings mount a second half comeback and win their ninth in a row (along with the NFC North crown)? Come join us and find out!