The Minnesota offense has emerged from its slumber, and the Panthers could end up paying for it.
A 10-play, 79-yard drive to start the second half, coupled with a two-point conversion, gave the Vikings a 16-10 lead.
The effort. capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Sam Bradford to Kyle Rudolph, more than doubled the entire offensive output for the first half, when the Vikings gained only 35 yards.
Then, after the teams traded punts, Vikigns cornerback Terence Newman intercepted Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who has been harassed all day by the Minnesota front four. The Vikings parlayed the short field (43 yards) into a field goal, and a 19-10 lead.