The Vikings hold a commanding 28-6 lead over the Panthers at halftime at TCF Bank Stadium. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is 9 of 12 with 92 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with wide receiver Greg Jennings for a 17-yard score in the final seconds of the first half.
The Good: Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen had the longest punt block returned for a touchdown in franchise history during the first quarter.
That record last, oh, a good 19 minutes. The Vikings went 453 games without accomplish the feat, the longest streak in the NFL, but did it twice. In the first half.
After Thielen scored, linebacker Jasper Brinkley blocked Panthers punter Brad Nortman's attempt, which was recovered by defensive end Everson Griffen and returned 43 yards for another special teams touchdown. Here's some more interesting nuggets about the two special teams touchdowns.
The Bad: Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson hasn't seen the field offensively during the first half. He fielded the only kickoff return, but Charles Johnson once again started over the second-year wideout out of Tennessee.
He only practiced once this week as a limited participant on Friday due to a knee injury Patterson suffered against the Packers. Who knows at this point whether that's the reason he's been limited during the first half.
Johnson leads the Vikings with 41 yards receiving on two catches.
The Ugly: The Panthers are 3-7-1 and just a ½ game out of first place in the NFC South. They haven't won a game since Oct. 5 against the Bears. Barring an epic collapse by the Vikings, the Panthers will go 0-6-1 in their last seven games with this loss.
