Panthers lose to Vikings (go back »)

Carolina Panthers were defeated 20-10 by the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 21, 2008. The Panthers now have a record of  2-1. The Panthers looked good throughout much of the first half. The defense stepped up big by holding all-pro running back Adrian Peterson to 77 yards on 17 carries. Julius Peppers and rookie Charles Goodrey each notched a sack with Charles Johnson and Tyler Brayton each posting half sacks. Cornerback Chris Gamble intercepted Vikings quaterback Gus Frerotte early in the game to give the panthers great field position. The offense started with hot with a field goal by long time pather John Kasey and 2 yard touchdown by rookie Jonathon Stewart, which at the time gave the Panthers a 10-0 lead. The momentum changed with a late first half sack/fumble recovery by Antoine Winfield. With less than two minutes left in the first half, Winfield sacked Jake Delhomme hitting him hard enough that it jarred the football loose. Winfield scooped up the ball and ran it back for a defensive touchdown. 10-10 tie at half left the Panthers feeling they had let a lead slip away. The Vikings scored a touchdown in the third quarter and added a late field goal to seal the win. I felt the Panthers defense played great, yet the offense struggled and actually gave up as many touchdowns as the defense. Where does the Panther offense go from here?