Quick answer
- Winner
- Minnesota Vikings
- Final score
- Minnesota Vikings 34–28 Carolina Panthers
- Halftime
- Minnesota Vikings 12–10 Carolina Panthers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Kirk Cousins
- Top passer
- Sam Darnold
- Biggest EPA play
- (15:00) 14-S.Darnold pass short right intended for 11-R.Anderson INTERCEPTED by 21-B.Breel…
- Game date
- 2021-10-17
Game summary
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Carolina Panthers 34–28 on 2021-10-17. Kirk Cousins posted a game-high +8.32 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 20 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 34 | |
| 7 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 28 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1

Kirk Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +8.32 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play - 2

Adam Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.15 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play - 3

K.J. Osborn · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.07 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play - 4

Isaiah Thomas · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.45 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play - 5

C.J. Ham · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +2.38 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.38 EPA/play - 6

Tyler Conklin · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.97 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play - 7
Shi Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.15 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play - 8

Alex Erickson · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.06 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP
Kirk Cousins — MIN · Passing
Kirk Cousins posted the highest total EPA (+8.32) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Minnesota Vikings. Across 50 counted snaps, they averaged +0.17 EPA per play.
Kirk Cousins's top snap (-5.86 EPA): (9:20) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 18-J.Jefferson to MIN 41 for 6 yards (24-A.Bouye). FUMBLES (24-A.Bouye), RECOVERED by CAR-43-H.Reddick at MIN 40. 43-H.Reddick to MIN 18 for 22 yards (8-K.Cousins).
Biggest single play (-6.04 EPA): Sam Darnold — (15:00) 14-S.Darnold pass short right intended for 11-R.Anderson INTERCEPTED by 21-B.Breeland at CAR 30. 21-B.Breeland to CAR 22 for 8 yards (82-T.Tremble).
Quarterback report card
Sam Darnold led all passers in efficiency for Carolina Panthers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers) · 54 dropbacks · 31.5% completion · -20.3% CPOE · -0.23 EPA/play · -12.67 total EPA
Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 50 dropbacks · 66.0% completion · +9.6% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +8.32 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.027 | -0.137 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.8% | 38.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.166 | -0.235 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.066 | -0.025 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.137 | +0.027 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.1% | 58.2% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.03 vs -0.14), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Minnesota Vikings: -0.03 EPA/play (43rd percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
- Carolina Panthers: -0.14 EPA/play (22nd percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
- Carolina Panthers: 16 drives, -13.04 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 16 drives, -2.92 total EPA, 8 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns

Carolina Panthers — Chris Hubbard
Minnesota Vikings — C. Herndon (Kirk Cousins pass) 
Carolina Panthers — Keilan Robinson 
Minnesota Vikings — Dylan Cook 
Minnesota Vikings — Adam Thielen (Kirk Cousins pass)
Carolina Panthers — Ryder Anderson (Sam Darnold pass) 
Minnesota Vikings — K.J. Osborn (Kirk Cousins pass)
Field goals

Minnesota Vikings — Greg Joseph 
Minnesota Vikings — Greg Joseph 
Carolina Panthers — Zane Gonzalez 
Minnesota Vikings — Greg Joseph 
Carolina Panthers — Zane Gonzalez
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–6. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CAR 6 (Q1 11:55); Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q1 8:31) — (8:31) (Shotgun) 30-C.Hubbard left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 8:27) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-R.Winslow.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CAR 7 (Q1 3:01) — (3:01) 1-G.Joseph 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry..
The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 6–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CAR 2 (Q2 11:05); Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the MIN 29 (Q2 4:25) — (4:25) 5-Z.Gonzalez 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-R.Winslow..
The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 13–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the CAR 76 (Q3 6:56); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 6:49) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-R.Winslow.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CAR 16 (Q3 4:06); Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CAR 5 (Q3 2:30) — (2:30) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 2:24) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry..
The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 11–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CAR 20 (Q4 10:19) — (10:19) 1-G.Joseph 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the MIN 5 (Q4 4:44) — (4:44) 5-Z.Gonzalez 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-R.Winslow.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the MIN 7 (Q4 0:46) — (:46) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short middle to 11-R.Anderson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers registered a safety from the MIN 2 (Q4 0:42) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-S.Darnold pass to 82-T.Tremble is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
Overtime: Minnesota Vikings won the period 6–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CAR 27 (OT 5:55) — (5:55) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 17-K.Osborn for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:06) — (:06) 1-G.Joseph 47 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 6:56) — (6:56) 3-J.Berry punt is BLOCKED by 49-F.Luvu, Center-42-A.DePaola, RECOVERED by CAR-27-K.Robinson at MIN 4. 27-K.Robinson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (OT 5:55) — (5:55) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 17-K.Osborn for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 0:42) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-S.Darnold pass to 82-T.Tremble is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
- Minnesota Vikings (OT 7:11) — (7:11) 33-D.Cook left tackle to CAR 24 for 16 yards (34-S.Chandler).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Carolina Panthers (Q1 15:00) — (15:00) 14-S.Darnold pass short right intended for 11-R.Anderson INTERCEPTED by 21-B.Breeland at CAR 30. 21-B.Breeland to CAR 22 for 8 yards (82-T.Tremble).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 9:20) — (9:20) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 18-J.Jefferson to MIN 41 for 6 yards (24-A.Bouye). FUMBLES (24-A.Bouye), RECOVERED by CAR-43-H.Reddick at MIN 40. 43-H.Reddick to MIN 18 for 22 yards (
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 8:36) — (8:36) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold sacked at CAR 37 for -8 yards (96-A.Watts). FUMBLES (96-A.Watts) [97-E.Griffen], RECOVERED by MIN-94-D.Tomlinson at CAR 38.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 6:56) — (6:56) 3-J.Berry punt is BLOCKED by 49-F.Luvu, Center-42-A.DePaola, RECOVERED by CAR-27-K.Robinson at MIN 4. 27-K.Robinson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 11:55 · CAR 6 · Score 3-0
(11:55) 1-G.Joseph 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry. MIN-69-R.Hill was injured during the play. His return is Probable.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 8:31 · MIN 2 · Score 3-6
(8:31) (Shotgun) 30-C.Hubbard left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 8:27 · MIN 15 · Score 3-7
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-R.Winslow.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 3:01 · CAR 7 · Score 6-7
(3:01) 1-G.Joseph 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 11:05 · CAR 2 · Score 12-7
(11:05) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 89-C.Herndon for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on CAR-95-D.Brown, Unnecessary Roughness, 1 yard, enforced between downs.
Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 4:25 · MIN 29 · Score 12-10
(4:25) 5-Z.Gonzalez 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-R.Winslow.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 6:56 · CAR 76 · Score 12-16
(6:56) 3-J.Berry punt is BLOCKED by 49-F.Luvu, Center-42-A.DePaola, RECOVERED by CAR-27-K.Robinson at MIN 4. 27-K.Robinson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 6:49 · MIN 15 · Score 12-17
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-R.Winslow.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 4:06 · CAR 16 · Score 18-17
(4:06) (Shotgun) 52-M.Cole reported in as eligible. 33-D.Cook right guard to CAR 1 for 15 yards (21-J.Chinn). Minnesota challenged the short of the goal line ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgu
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 2:30 · CAR 5 · Score 24-17
(2:30) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 2:24 · CAR 15 · Score 25-17
1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 10:19 · CAR 20 · Score 28-17
(10:19) 1-G.Joseph 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 4:44 · MIN 5 · Score 28-20
(4:44) 5-Z.Gonzalez 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-R.Winslow.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 0:46 · MIN 7 · Score 28-26
(:46) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short middle to 11-R.Anderson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers Safety (+2) — Q4 0:42 · MIN 2 · Score 28-28
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-S.Darnold pass to 82-T.Tremble is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — OT 5:55 · CAR 27 · Score 34-28
(5:55) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 17-K.Osborn for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Minnesota Vikings earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Sam Darnold (CAR) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers on 2021-10-17?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Carolina Panthers 34-28 in Week 6, 2021.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 6, Carolina Panthers 7; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 6, Carolina Panthers 3; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 13, Carolina Panthers 7; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 3, Carolina Panthers 11; Q5: Minnesota Vikings 6, Carolina Panthers 0; Final: Minnesota Vikings 34, Carolina Panthers 28.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers?
Carolina Panthers touchdown — C. Hubbard (Q1 8:31) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — C. Herndon (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 11:05) Carolina Panthers touchdown — K. Robinson (Q3 6:56) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — D. Cook (Q3 4:06) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 2:30) Carolina Panthers touchdown — R. Anderson (S. Darnold pass) (Q4 0:46) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — K. Osborn (K. Cousins pass) (OT 5:55) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Joseph (Q1 11:55, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Joseph (Q1 3:01, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — Z. Gonzalez (Q2 4:25, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Joseph (Q4 10:19, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — Z. Gonzalez (Q4 4:44, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers?
Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers), 31.5% completion, -20.3% CPOE, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -12.67 total passing EPA. Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), 66.0% completion, +9.6% CPOE, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +8.32 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers?
Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.32 total EPA on Passing plays. across 50 snaps. Their top snap (-5.86 EPA): (9:20) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 18-J.Jefferson to MIN 41 for 6 yards (24-A.Bouye). FUMBLES (24-A.Bouye), RECOVERED by CAR-43-H.Reddick at MIN 40. 43-H.Reddick to M.
Was Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Minnesota Vikings won 34-28 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 2-3 Now 3-3 W
Carolina Panthers
Entered 3-2 Now 3-3 L