Mason rushes for 202 yards as Vikings snap skid, edge Panthers 32-29

Minneapolis, MN - Jordan Mason rushed for 202 yards and two touchdowns, and the Minnesota Vikings ended a five-game losing streak with a 32-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 13.

The result reversed the direction of two teams that arrived in Minneapolis on sharply different paths. Carolina entered at 10-1 with five consecutive wins, while Minnesota was 3-8 after losing five in a row. By the end, the Vikings had stopped both streaks and earned their fourth victory.

Mason supplied the defining individual performance, carrying 26 times and producing the game-high rushing total. His 49-yard run was also the longest rush of the game. Minnesota finished with 234 rushing yards, compared with 50 for Carolina, as the Vikings accumulated 360 offensive yards overall.

"The workload gave me a chance to stay involved and keep pressing," Mason said. "Two hundred yards is something you appreciate, but ending that losing streak is what everybody in the room needed."

Minnesota's production on the ground stood in contrast to a difficult passing line. Kyler Murray completed 15 of 28 attempts for 136 yards and one touchdown, but he also threw two interceptions and finished with a 49.1 passer rating. The Vikings nevertheless recorded 20 first downs and converted 4 of 13 third downs along with their only fourth-down attempt.

Justin Jefferson led Minnesota with six receptions for 58 yards and caught Murray's touchdown pass. Josh Oliver added six catches for 42 yards, giving Murray two reliable options in a passing attack that did not produce a completion longer than 18 yards.

The Vikings also made five trips inside the Carolina 20, scoring two touchdowns and one field goal. Carolina reached the red zone four times but recorded one touchdown and no field goals on those possessions.

The Panthers produced a dramatically different offensive profile. Bryce Young completed 20 of 28 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns, posting a 150.2 passer rating. His 65-yard completion was the longest of the game, and Carolina finished with 299 passing yards after accounting for sacks.

Young spread his touchdown passes between John Metchie III and Xavier Legette. Metchie caught five passes for a game-high 126 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including the game-long 65-yard reception. Legette finished with six catches for 89 yards and two scores, while Jalen Coker added seven receptions for 100 yards.

"There are things in the passing game that we can build on, but the result is what stays with you," Young said. "We didn't do enough on third down, and when a game ends with three points separating the teams, every missed opportunity stands out."

Third down was a persistent issue for Carolina, which converted only 1 of 10 attempts. The Panthers finished with 13 first downs despite totaling 349 offensive yards. Chuba Hubbard carried 15 times for 53 yards, although Carolina's team rushing total was 50 yards.

The defensive numbers added another layer to the statistical contrast. Carolina recorded two sacks and intercepted Murray twice. Minnesota did not force an interception, but the Vikings registered four sacks against Young.

"We knew the passing numbers weren't going to tell the whole story for us," Jefferson said. "Jordan gave us a huge performance, and getting back in the win column changes the feeling around the team. Now we have to take that into the next week."

Carolina left Minneapolis with its five-game winning streak over despite Young's four-touchdown performance and three 89-yard receivers. Minnesota, meanwhile, paired Mason's 202 rushing yards with enough production elsewhere to finish three points ahead and bring its own five-game slide to an end.

Up Next

The Vikings will travel to face the New England Patriots in Week 14 looking to follow up the victory, while the Panthers return home to host the New Orleans Saints and try to rebound from their second loss.