Things have certainly been interesting in Charlotte to start the ball game between the 1-6 Minnesota Vikings and the 2-5 Carolina Panthers.
The Vikings got a 78-yard kickoff return from Marcus Sherels to begin today's festivities to set the Vikings up at the Carolina 27-yard line. However, a run by Adrian Peterson for no gain, an incomplete pass, and a sack of Christian Ponder left the Vikings to settle for a field goal try from Ryan Longwell. However, Longwell uncharacteristically missed the 45-yard attempt wide to the left, and the Vikings got no points out of what looked to be a promising drive.
On Carolina's first offensive play, however, the Vikings got to Panthers' rookie quarterback Cam Newton on a blitz, as E.J. Henderson smashed Newton and caused him to fumble. Jared Allen fell on the loose ball, and the Vikings were in business at the Carolina 16.
Percy Harvin did the work from there, as he lined up in the backfield twice and took two handoffs from Christian Ponder. The first carry went for six yards, and the second one was a 10-yard touchdown run for Harvin's first offensive score of the season.
The Vikings just forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but the Panthers fell on it to take over at their own 18-yard line.
With 12:26 left in the first quarter in Charlotte, the Minnesota Vikings lead the Carolina Panthers by a score of 7-0.