As I was watching the Carolina Panthers come down the field in the final minutes of their game with the Vikings today (on NFL RedZone), I thought for sure they were going to lose. It was 24-21 Vikings and Cam Newton looked like he was going to rescue the Panthers with a last minute TD.
But the Vikings defense held Carolina at the 14-yard line with 28 seconds to play. That set up a 31-yard FG by Olindo Mare, a chip shot that would have sent the game into overtime.
But Mare shanked it wide left, and the Vikes escaped with their second win of 2011, and their first road win of the season.
It was a battle of rookie QBs, and once again Christian Ponder was impressive. He went 18-for-28, for 236 yards and 1 TD. Cam Newton threw 2 TDs for 290 yards.
Adrian Peterson had 162 yards from scrimmage (86 rushing) and scored 2 TDs, one rushing and one receiving. He continues to lead the NFL in rushing yards.
It was Christian Ponder's first career win, and his poise in leading the comeback was especially impressive. He continues to look like the real thing.
