Vikings Lose in Horrible Game
The Panthers destroyed the Vikings in a devastating 38-13 defeat.
In an almost expected loss, the Vikings struggled from the beginning, never really gaining any edge over the much more motivated Panthers. Not unlike the previous Packers Game, the Vikings were dominated in the first half, with the Panthers scoring 24 unanswered points before the Vikings came back with a touchdown. The Panthers padded their lead with two more touchdowns before the Vikings came back with another, but with a failed two-point try.
The media is going to go on about how the loss of Culpepper is going to be the cause for giving up on the Vikings. He was hurt with a tackle as he ran for a first down, taking a Panther in the knee at a bad ankle. While I wish the guy the best, hope the injury is recoverable, and will miss him in the pocket, the Vikings still have Super Bowl winning QB Brad Johnson to call upon. He didn't look so good taking over mid-game, but I think the game had as much to do with that as anything; Panther domination had already set in.
As predicted the near worst happened. The Bears beat the Lions, but the Packers also lost with the Vikings. The division is clearly Bears (4-3), Lions (3-4), Vikings (2-5), Packers (1-6); everyone separated by just a game, so it seems possible that anyone can recover in the second half of the season (the last game of the first half is next week) to take the lead.
The Vikings host the Lions next week. It seems that the teams are fairly matched, although the Lions are playing better. If Johnson can practice well with the team this week, and if the Vikings offensive line can hold them back, it's conceivable that the Vikings could win.
