The Carolina Panthers may be out of the playoffs but they're not finished.
Getting a dynamic performance from their defense and wide receiver Steve Smith, the Panthers defeated Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings 26-7 Sunday night in Bank of America Stadium.
The Panthers (6-8) broke the game open in the fourth quarter, scoring three touchdowns to send the Vikings (11-3) home with their second loss in three games.
Carolina broke the Vikings with big plays in the fourth quarter, including a 45-yard scoring strike from quarterback Matt Moore to Steve Smith on the second play of the quarter for a 12-7 lead.
Smith had another 45-yard reception on the Panthers' next possession, which led to a three-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Stewart, who became the first back in 36 games to rush for more than 100 yards against the Vikings.
After a 55-yard reception by tight end Gary Barnidge, the Panthers put the game away on a two-yard scoring pass from Moore to Stewart in the closing minutes.
The Carolina defense limited MInnesota running back Adrian Peterson to 35 yards on 12 carries while holding Favre to 224 yards passing.
Smith, meanwhile, had nine catches for 157 yards and Moore had his best game of the season, completing 21 of 33 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
-- Ron Green Jr.
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