Final/OT2021 Week 6

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers, Week 6 2021

Minnesota Vikings

AwayWon

34

Carolina Panthers

Home

28

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4OTFinal
Vikings66133634
Panthers73711028

MIN 34CAR 28 Final/OT

  • Passing leader

    Kirk Cousins

    MIN · QB

    28.5PPR pts

    33/48, 373 YDS, 3 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Adam Thielen

    MIN · WR

    29.8PPR pts

    11 REC, 126 YDS, 1 TD

  • Panthers leader

    Sam Darnold

    CAR · QB

    16.1PPR pts

    17/41, 207 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

  • Defensive playmaker

    Kenny Robinson

    CAR

    1 TD, 1 TKL

Vikings 34, Panthers 28: Minnesota wins it in overtime

Minnesota led 12–10 at halftime, regulation ended 28–28, and the Vikings won it 34–28 in overtime. The Vikings finished with a 571–306 edge in total offense and averaged 6.8 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Panthers went 2-for-12 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Vikings kept the ball for 37:38.

The two teams meet again in Week 13 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +2.3 yards/play MIN 6.8 · CAR 4.5
  • +2 turnover margin MIN 1 · CAR 3 turnovers
  • +265 total yards MIN 571 · CAR 306

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Vikings Won

Minnesota won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Vikings vs Panthers
VikingsStatPanthers
6.8Yards per play4.5
1Turnovers3
571Total yards306
Other team stats
84Plays68
44%Third-down conversion17%
37:38Time of possession26:34

Scoring Summary

The Vikings scored four touchdowns and three field goals; the Panthers scored three touchdowns and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Vikings vs Panthers
TimeTeamPlayMINCAR
1st quarter
11:52MINGreg Joseph 25-yard FG Takes lead30
8:27CARChuba Hubbard 2-yard TD run Takes leadZane Gonzalez XP37
2:57MINGreg Joseph 25-yard FG67
2nd quarter
10:59MINKirk Cousins → Chris Herndon, 2-yard TD Takes lead2-pt try failed127
4:20CARZane Gonzalez 47-yard FG1210
3rd quarter
6:49CARKenny Robinson 4-yard TD Takes leadZane Gonzalez XP1217
4:00MINDalvin Cook 16-yard TD run Takes lead2-pt try failed1817
2:24MINKirk Cousins → Adam Thielen, 5-yard TD Extends leadGreg Joseph XP2517
4th quarter
10:15MINGreg Joseph 38-yard FG Extends lead2817
4:41CARZane Gonzalez 23-yard FG2820
0:42CARSam Darnold → Robby Anderson, 7-yard TD Ties gameSam Darnold → Tommy Tremble, 2-pt conversion2828
Overtime
5:48MINKirk Cousins → K.J. Osborn, 27-yard TD Game winner3428

Fantasy Points: Vikings vs Panthers, Week 6 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Adam ThielenMINWR29.8 PTSWR3
  2. Kirk CousinsMINQB27.5 PTSQB2
  3. Dalvin CookMINRB21.3 PTSRB9
  4. K.J. OsbornMINWR19.8 PTSWR13

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Kirk CousinsMINQB27.5QB233/48373302160112.6Start/Sit →
Sam DarnoldCARQB15.1QB1517/4120711448055.6Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Adam ThielenMINWR29.8WR3WR12013111261
Dalvin CookMINRB21.3RB9RB2914012230
K.J. OsbornMINWR19.8WR13WR———76781Start/Sit →
Chuba HubbardCARRB13.5RB22RB166113140Start/Sit →
Justin JeffersonMINWR13.0WR27WR———148800Start/Sit →
Tyler ConklinMINTE10.1TE16TE———53710Start/Sit →
Robbie ChosenCARWR10.1WR39WR———113111
DJ MooreCARWR9.9WR42WR160135730Start/Sit →
Chris HerndonMINTE7.2TE24TE———1121
Brandon ZylstraCARWR6.2WR64WR———33320
Ian ThomasCARTE5.1TE31TE———21410Start/Sit →
Shi SmithCARWR4.0WR78WR———22200
Alex EricksonCARWR2.7WR85WR———11170
Dede WestbrookMINWR2.3WR89WR———32130
Tommy TrembleCARTE2.0TE43TE1002000Start/Sit →
Terrace MarshallCARWR1.9WR94WR———2190
Alexander MattisonMINRB1.0RB64RB3100————
Royce FreemanCARRB0.3RB66RB130————

Fantasy Usage

Minnesota Vikings

Snap Share

  1. Adam ThielenWR87 snaps98%
  2. Justin JeffersonWR84 snaps94%
  3. Tyler ConklinTE76 snaps85%
  4. Dalvin CookRB66 snaps74%
  5. K.J. OsbornWR48 snaps54%

Target Share45 targets

  1. Justin Jefferson31%, 14 targets
  2. Adam Thielen29%, 13 targets
  3. K.J. Osborn16%, 7 targets
  4. Tyler Conklin11%, 5 targets
  5. Dede Westbrook7%, 3 targets
  6. Other7%, 3 targets

Carry Share35 carries

  1. Dalvin Cook83%, 29 carries
  2. Alexander Mattison9%, 3 carries
  3. Kirk Cousins6%, 2 carries
  4. Adam Thielen3%, 1 carries

Carolina Panthers

Snap Share

  1. DJ MooreWR68 snaps92%
  2. Robbie ChosenWR64 snaps86%
  3. Chuba HubbardRB48 snaps65%
  4. Ian ThomasTE40 snaps54%
  5. Tommy TrembleTE38 snaps51%

Target Share39 targets

  1. DJ Moore33%, 13 targets
  2. Robbie Chosen28%, 11 targets
  3. Brandon Zylstra8%, 3 targets
  4. Chuba Hubbard8%, 3 targets
  5. Ian Thomas5%, 2 targets
  6. Other18%, 7 targets

Carry Share23 carries

  1. Chuba Hubbard70%, 16 carries
  2. Sam Darnold17%, 4 carries
  3. DJ Moore4%, 1 carries
  4. Royce Freeman4%, 1 carries
  5. Tommy Tremble4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Adam ThielenMINWR8798%1329%1
Justin JeffersonMINWR8494%1431%0
DJ MooreCARWR6892%1333%1
Robbie ChosenCARWR6486%1128%0
Tyler ConklinMINTE7685%511%0
Dalvin CookMINRB6674%24%29
Chuba HubbardCARRB4865%38%16
Ian ThomasCARTE4054%25%0
K.J. OsbornMINWR4854%716%0
Tommy TrembleCARTE3851%25%1
Brandon ZylstraCARWR3649%38%0
Royce FreemanCARRB2331%00%1
Terrace MarshallCARWR2331%25%0
Chris HerndonMINTE2427%12%0
Alex EricksonCARWR1216%13%0
Dede WestbrookMINWR1213%37%0
Alexander MattisonMINRB1213%00%3
Luke StockerMINTE1011%00%0
Shi SmithCARWR811%25%0
Colin ThompsonCARTE79%00%0
Dan ChisenaMINWR11%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+8.0K.J. Osborn19.8 PTS vs 11.8 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−11.6DJ Moore10.9 PTS vs 22.5 xFP
  • Highest expected volume23.6 xFPJustin Jefferson14.0 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Justin JeffersonMIN · WR14.023.6−9.694%31% tgt—000%1431%
Adam ThielenMIN · WR29.822.5+7.398%29% tgt—013%1329%
DJ MooreCAR · WR10.922.5−11.692%33% tgt—014%1333%
Kirk CousinsMIN · QB28.522.4+6.1100%48 att—4826%00%
Dalvin CookMIN · RB22.322.0+0.374%81% car—02981%24%
Sam DarnoldCAR · QB16.120.6−4.5100%41 att—41417%00%
Robbie ChosenCAR · WR10.118.5−8.486%28% tgt—000%1128%
Chuba HubbardCAR · RB13.515.3−1.865%70% car—01670%38%
K.J. OsbornMIN · WR19.811.8+8.054%16% tgt—000%716%
Tyler ConklinMIN · TE10.18.4+1.785%11% tgt—000%511%
Brandon ZylstraCAR · WR6.25.1+1.149%8% tgt—000%38%
Dede WestbrookMIN · WR3.35.1−1.813%7% tgt—000%37%
Tommy TrembleCAR · TE2.04.0−2.051%5% tgt—014%25%
Ian ThomasCAR · TE5.13.4+1.754%5% tgt—000%25%
Shi SmithCAR · WR4.03.4+0.611%5% tgt—000%25%
Terrace Marshall Jr.CAR · WR1.93.4−1.531%5% tgt—000%25%
Alexander MattisonMIN · RB1.01.9−0.913%8% car—038%00%
Alex EricksonCAR · WR2.71.7+1.016%3% tgt—000%13%
Chris HerndonMIN · TE7.21.7+5.527%2% tgt—000%12%
C.J. HamMIN · RB3.00.6+2.4—3% car—013%00%
Royce FreemanCAR · RB0.30.6−0.331%4% car—014%00%

Team totals: Vikings 45 targets and 36 carries; Panthers 39 targets and 23 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Kirk Cousins Ran hot

MIN · QB · 28.5 pts on 22.4 expected

33 of 48 passing for 373 yards, 3 touchdowns; 2 carries for 16 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 22.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Kirk Cousins →

Sam Darnold

CAR · QB · 16.1 pts on 20.6 expected

17 of 41 passing for 207 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 4 carries for 48 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 20.6 expected.

Start/Sit: Sam Darnold →

Justin Jefferson Volume, no payoff

MIN · WR · 14.0 pts on 23.6 expected

14 targets (31% of the team's), 8 catches for 80 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 23.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Justin Jefferson →

Adam Thielen Ran hot

MIN · WR · 29.8 pts on 22.5 expected

13 targets (29% of the team's), 11 catches for 126 yards and 1 touchdown; 1 carry (3% of the team's) for 2 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 22.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

DJ Moore Volume, no payoff

CAR · WR · 10.9 pts on 22.5 expected

13 targets (33% of the team's), 5 catches for 73 yards; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for 6 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 22.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: DJ Moore →

Robbie Chosen Unlucky

CAR · WR · 10.1 pts on 18.5 expected

11 targets (28% of the team's), 3 catches for 11 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 18.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

K.J. Osborn Ran hot

MIN · WR · 19.8 pts on 11.8 expected

7 targets (16% of the team's), 6 catches for 78 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.8 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: K.J. Osborn →

Chris Herndon Ran hot

MIN · TE · 7.2 pts on 1.7 expected

1 target (2% of the team's), 1 catch for 2 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 1.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Minnesota Vikings

  • Stock down: Alexander Mattison played 13% of the snaps, down from a 40% season average.

Carolina Panthers

  • Stock up: Chuba Hubbard played 65% of the snaps, up from a 41% season average.
  • Stock up: Brandon Zylstra played 49% of the snaps, up from a 19% season average.
  • Stock up: Tommy Tremble played 51% of the snaps, up from a 32% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Vikings defense and Panthers defense
Points allowed toVikings DPanthers D
QBs18.515.3
RBs24.519.4
WRs40.531.9
TEs10.412.3

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Carolina opened at 43% win probability and fell below 2% in the fourth quarter.

Panthers win probability

Panthers win probability by game minutePanthers started at 43%, stood at 37% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 12 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4OT100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +33Robinson 4-yd TD36% → 69%Q3 6:49
  2. −30Cook 16-yd TD run71% → 41%Q3 4:00
  3. −29Cousins → Thielen, 5-yd TD41% → 12%Q3 2:24
  4. +49Darnold → Anderson, 7-yd TD<1% → 49%Q4 0:42
  5. −50Cousins → Osborn, 27-yd TD50% → <1%OT 5:48

Swing in Panthers win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Vikings vs Panthers
Minnesota VikingsMeasureCarolina Panthers
84Plays68
57%Pass rate66%
7.8Yds / dropback4.2
5.5Yds / carry5.1
7/16Third downs2/12

Efficiency edge Minnesota ran 16 more plays and gained 3.6 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • MIN Jefferson 31% · Thielen 29% · Osborn 16%
  • CAR Moore 33% · Chosen 28% · Zylstra 8%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Vikings vs Panthers
ResultMINCAR
Touchdowns42
Field goals32
Punts56
Turnovers13
Missed field goals20

MIN turnover edge: +2

  • The Vikings opened the scoring on their first possession, a 7-play, 16-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
  • The Vikings drained the clock with two second-half drives of four to five minutes.
All 30 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CARQ1 15:00100:12Interception
MINQ1 14:487162:56Field goal
CARQ1 11:52572:26Punt
MINQ1 9:26250:17Fumble
CARQ1 9:092180:42Touchdown
MINQ1 8:2711465:30Field goal
CARQ1 2:57582:50Punt
MINQ1 0:079854:08Touchdown
CARQ2 10:59300:26Punt
MINQ2 10:333-31:50Punt
CARQ2 8:4310324:23Field goal
MINQ2 4:20391:16Punt
CARQ2 3:047382:20Punt
MINQ2 0:445210:44End of half
MINQ3 15:004-91:48Punt
CARQ3 13:127135:02Punt
MINQ3 8:104161:21Punt
MINQ3 6:495792:49Touchdown
CARQ3 4:001150:09Fumble
MINQ3 3:514391:27Touchdown
CARQ3 2:245222:32Punt
MINQ4 14:528634:37Field goal
CARQ4 10:155181:45Fumble
MINQ4 8:30461:30Missed FG
CARQ4 7:007552:19Field goal
MINQ4 4:414342:32Punt
CARQ4 2:0911961:27Touchdown
MINQ4 0:427460:41Missed FG
CARQ4 0:011-10:01End of half
MINOT 10:009754:12Touchdown
About these numbers

The Panthers' return touchdown is counted as a Vikings possession, not as a Panthers possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Vikings vs Panthers Head-to-Head

The Vikings and Panthers first met in 1996 and have played 17 times since.

All-time series
11–6Vikings lead, 17 meetings since 1996
Postseason
0No playoff meetings
Largest Vikings win
31–132014
Largest Panthers win
35–102013

Since 2021

2–0 Vikings lead

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. V = Vikings win, P = Panthers win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 13 Panthers at Vikings Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Vikings vs Panthers
VikingsStatPanthers
8-9Record5-12
25.0Points per game17.9
362.8Yards per game298.9
5.7Yards per play4.6
25.1Points allowed per game23.8
383.6Yards allowed per game305.9

Vikings vs Panthers Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
MIN −2.5Vikings covered by 3.5
Total
45.5Over: 62 points scored (by 16.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Vikings24.034+10.0
Panthers21.528+6.5

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Minnesota Vikings

Against the spread
3–3
Over/under
3–3
ATS as favorite
1–2
ATS as underdog
2–1
ATS on the road
2–1

Carolina Panthers

Against the spread
3–3
Over/under
2–4
ATS as favorite
2–1
ATS as underdog
1–2
ATS at home
2–2

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Vikings vs Panthers Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 13 in Minnesota. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Vikings vs Panthers Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Vikings vs Panthers Week 6 game?

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Carolina Panthers 34–28 in Week 6 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, on October 17, 2021. See the Vikings' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Vikings vs Panthers?

The final score was Vikings 34, Panthers 28 in overtime. The Vikings led 12–10 at halftime, and the second half went Vikings 16, Panthers 18 before overtime.

What happened in the Vikings vs Panthers game?

Minnesota led 12–10 at halftime, regulation ended 28–28, and the Vikings won it 34–28 in overtime. The Vikings finished with a 571–306 edge in total offense and averaged 6.8 yards per play. Adam Thielen led all players with 11 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown, plus a carry for 2 rushing yards. The Panthers committed 3 turnovers, the Vikings 1.

What was the game-winning score in Vikings vs Panthers?

Kirk Cousins' 27-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn with 5:48 left in the overtime gave the Vikings a 34–28 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Vikings vs Panthers?

Adam Thielen led the game with 29.8 PPR fantasy points, the WR3 of Week 6, on 11 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown, plus a carry for 2 rushing yards. Kirk Cousins was next with 27.5 (QB2).

Who led Vikings vs Panthers in passing, rushing and receiving?

Kirk Cousins (MIN) led all passers with 33 of 48 for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dalvin Cook (MIN) led in rushing with 29 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown. Adam Thielen (MIN) led in receiving with 11 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Adam Thielen score against the Panthers?

Adam Thielen scored 29.8 points in PPR leagues, 24.3 in half-PPR and 18.8 in standard scoring against the Panthers in Week 6 of the 2021 season, on 11 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown, plus a carry for 2 rushing yards. He drew 29% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Vikings vs Panthers?

K.J. Osborn outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 19.8 PPR points on 11.8 xFP (+8.0). DJ Moore fell furthest short, with 10.9 points on 22.5 xFP (−11.6). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Vikings beat the Panthers?

The Vikings beat the Panthers 34–28 because they averaged 6.8 yards per play to 4.5, won the turnover battle 3–1, and outgained them 571–306. Kirk Cousins' 27-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Vikings vs Panthers?

The Vikings won the turnover battle 3–1: the Panthers gave the ball away 3 times and the Vikings 1 time. The Vikings won the game.

What is the all-time Vikings vs Panthers record?

The Vikings lead the all-time series 11–6 across 17 meetings since 1996.

When did the Vikings and Panthers last play before this game?

Before Week 6 of 2021, they last met in the 2020 season on November 29, 2020, when the Vikings beat the Panthers 28–27.

What was the closing spread for Vikings vs Panthers?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Vikings −2.5, making the Minnesota Vikings 2.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 45.5. That implied about 24.0 points for the Vikings and 21.5 for the Panthers.

Did Vikings vs Panthers go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 45.5, and the teams combined for 62 points, 16.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Vikings vs Panthers?

The Vikings covered by 3.5 against the closing line of Vikings −2.5. The final margin was 6 points.