Game Info Center - Carolina 9/21

9/19/2008

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Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, Sept. 21 // Noon // Metrodome // Minneapolis, Minn.

Game Summary

After falling to the Indianapolis Colts 18-15 last week, the Minnesota Vikings (0-2) will play their second consecutive home game this Sunday, September 21, against the Carolina Panthers (2-0). Kickoff is slated for noon at the H.H.H. Metrodome.

This will be only the 8th time the two teams have matched up, with the Vikings holding the overall series lead 4-3. The Vikings are 4-2 against the Panthers at home. The last time they met, the Vikings defeated the Panthers 16-13 in overtime at Minnesota.

Next Sunday, September 28, the Vikings will head to Tennessee for the first of two consecutive road games while the Panthers will return home to take on the Atlanta Falcons.

Offensive / Defensive Stat of the Week

Offense: RB Adrian Peterson currently has a career average over 100 rushing yards per game, as he has rushed for 1,604 yards in 16 career contests (100.3 yards per game).

Defense: Last week the Vikings held the Colts to 25 rushing yards on 19 carries. Indianapolis had -3 rushing yards after the first quarter and just 4 yards on the ground at halftime.

A Win Would...

- Improve the Vikings record to 5-2 over the last seven games at home.

- Improve Head Coach Brad Childress’ record against the Panthers to 2-0.

- Improve the Vikings all-time record against the Panthers to 5-3.

- Improve the Vikings record at the Metrodome to 138-77-0 (regular season and postseason).

- Improve the Vikings all-time record in September to 87-67-2.

- Improve the Vikings all-time record against the NFC South to 71-38-0.

What To Watch For

- This week’s game features two of the top 25 all-time scorers in NFL history in K John Kasay (#13 with 1,526 points) and K Ryan Longwell (#24 with 1,265 points).

- With 100+ rushing yards, RB Adrian Peterson can tie Michael Bennett for 3rd place in Vikings history with 9 career 100-yard games. He’s currently tied with Bill Brown for 4th all-time with 8.

- With one sack, DE Jared Allen will have 45 for his career.

- With 73 receiving yards, WR Sidney Rice will reach 500 for his career.

- With an INT for a TD, Darren Sharper will move into a tie for 2nd place all-time in the NFL.

- With one sack, LB E.J. Henderson can move into 4th place all-time among Vikings LBs.

- With a start, TE Jim Kleinsasser will have 95 for his career along with 120 games played.

- With a touchdown, DT Kevin Williams will have sole possession of the all-time lead for defensive TDs by a Viking.

Last Time

The last time these two teams met was on Sunday, September 16, 2006, at the HHH Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 16-13 in head coach Brad Childress’ second game and first home game, helping him become the first Vikings coach to start his tenure 2-0.

The Vikings offense was led by QB Brad Johnson who completed 19-31 passes for 243 yards. On the ground RB Chester Taylor led the team in rushing with 24 carries for 143 yards. WR Troy Williamson had the first 100+ yard game of his career, finishing with 6 catches for 102 yards. K Ryan Longwell became the first kicker in Vikings history to throw a touchdown pass, as he completed a pass to TE Richard Owens on a fake field goal attempt. Longwell kicked 3 field goals, the last of which was a 19-yard blast in overtime for a Vikings win.

Broadcast Information - Radio

KFAN AM 1130 // Pregame show begins at 10 a.m.; game broadcast begins at Noon

KTLK FM 100.3 // Picks up coverage at 11 a.m.; game broadcast begins at Noon

Click here to view the 2008 Minnesota Vikings Radio Network Information for those that live outside of the Twin Cities area.

Don't live within the listening area? Sign up for the NFL Field Pass and you can listen to every Vikings game live.

Broadcast Information - Television

KMSP Channel 9 - Pregame show begins at 11 a.m.; game broadcast begins at Noon

Other Notes

Vikings of Tomorrow Pregame Scrimmage: Fourth and fifth graders from the Brainerd Youth Athletic Association.

National Anthem: Local Recording Artist Brian Leighton

Color Guard: Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal Honor Guard

Halftime Entertainment: Minnesota Vikings Senior Cheerleaders Performance

Other Information

Tailgating near the Metrodome? Click here to get the latest forecast and weather information.

For more information on tailgating around the Metrodome, including info on purchasing a season pass, click here.

Click here view information on the activities that will be happening on the Metrodome Plaza before the game starts.

Metrodome Driving Directions // Game Day Security // General Information

Get up-to-the-second traffic information via Mn-DOT.