CHARLOTTE - The NFL is a fourth-quarter league.
No team knows that better than the Minnesota Vikings (2-3).
They found themselves on the right side of the end-of-game dramatics on Sunday, kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired to beat Detroit at home.
But in Minnesota's three losses, they...
-Had the ball at the 26-yard line with a chance to tie Cleveland as time expired (14-7),
-Missed a 37-yard field goal to win as time expired at Arizona (34-33),
-Kicked a tying field goal as time expired, then fumbled in plus territory in overtime, allowing Cincinnati to hit a game-winning field goal (27-24).
The Vikings have been through the pressure situations and could easily be 5-0 or they could be 1-4.
So let's dive into what the Vikings are bringing to Charlotte.
COUSINS TIME
Kirk Cousins is in his fourth season in Minnesota as he looks to improve on his 27-24-1 overall record as a Viking.
Cousins currently sits 11th in the NFL with a 103.7 passer rating, throwing for ten touchdowns with just two interceptions and 279.2 passing yards per game.
He's been sacked nine times in five games, tied for ninth-fewest in the NFL.
NO DALVIN COOK?
Dalvin Cook, one of the league's top running backs over the last few years, has been nursing an ankle injury that initially kept him out of the Week 3 win against Seattle.
He returned to little effect against Cleveland in Week 4 and was inactive again against the Lions on Sunday. He had been listed as questionable heading into the game, so his status will be something to track throughout the week.
Alexander Mattison has gotten a ton of run in Cook's absence. He and Tennessee's Derrick Henry are the only two players with 30+ touches in two or more games this season. Mattison rushed for 112 yards in Week 3 and added 153 scrimmage yards against the Lions.
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE
Former LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson has flown even higher in his second year in the league.
After leading all rookies with 1400 receiving yards in 2020, Jefferson has 471 receiving yards on 33 catches in 2021, ranking sixth in the NFL this season.
Jefferson's reception percentage of 73.3 currently ranks sixth among qualified wide receivers.
POROUS AGAINST THE RUN?
Minnesota ranks 22nd in run defense with 130.0 yards allowed per game. Teams are averaging 4.74 yards per rush (29th) and 20.8 first downs per game (15th) against the Vikings.
Conversely, the Vikings' pass defense has been Top 10 in the NFL, especially when they get to the quarterback. Minnesota ranks second in the league with 17 sacks and has 86 pressures, according to PFF.
Using EPA (Expected Points Added) metrics, the Vikings have a 7.53 total defensive pass EPA (5th) on all pass plays and a 33.17 pass sack EPA (2nd) on sack plays.
Danielle Hunter has 6.0 sacks and nine QB hits, tied for fourth in the league.
The Panthers are 6-9 all-time against the Vikings, with a 3-2 record at home and 3-7 record on the road.
Minnesota Vikings' Brett Favre (4) is hit by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) during the first half of an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers tight end Kris Mangum (86) and his teammates celebrate as they take the field with less than two minutes left in the game when the Minnesota Vikings failed to convert on a fourth down play during the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002 in Minneapolis. The Panthers beat the Vikings 21-14.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
Players huddle on the field during the first half of an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, left, walks off the field with Carolina Panthers wide receiver Philly Brown (16) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 31-13. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) carries the ball up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, left, scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is pressured by Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, right, meets with Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson following an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. The Panthers defeated the Vikings 35-10. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Philly Brown (16) catches a 32-yard touchdown pass in front of Minnesota Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during an NFL football game Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2013 file photo, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith crosses his arms after a touchdown catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis. The agent for Smith says the five-time Pro Bowl selection has played his final snap for the Panthers. Smith's longtime representative Derrick Fox told The Associated Press on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, that Smith "is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that. I just don't know when that transaction is going to take place." (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) slides into the end zone during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn, center, is tackled by Minnesota Vikings strong safety Jamarca Sanford, left, and cornerback Xavier Rhodes during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams runs against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen tries to break the tackle of Minnesota Vikings strong safety Jamarca Sanford after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball over the Minnesota Vikings' defense during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. The Minnesota Vikings won 24-21. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs away from Minnesota Vikings' Husain Abdullah during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. The Minnesota Vikings won 24-21. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton scores a touchdown on a 7-yard run against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2011 file photo, Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson, left, tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The man teammates call "Big Money" is living up to his $76.5 million contract so far with seven sacks and several other big plays for the Panthers (2-6) and is looking to build on his growing reputation as an impact player in the second half of the season. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is hit by Minnesota Vikings' Husain Abdullah (39) during the fourth quarter of Vikings' 24-21 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2009, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) runs past Minnesota Vikings' Jimmy Kennedy (73) in the second half of the Panthers' 26-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings were only 4-4 on the road in the regular season, the worst among NFC playoff teams and any of the four remaining contenders. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson, left, tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 30, 2011. Minnesota won 24-21. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) reacts in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Matt Moore (3) hands off during the second half of an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) is hit by Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) celebrates during the second half of an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings' Brett Favre, right, talks with Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad after an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte (12) lthrows against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)
Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) reacts after a Minnesota Vikings holding penalty in the second half of the Panthers' 26-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) staggers into the end zone for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Minnesota Vikings' quarterback Gus Frerotte (12) is sacked by Carolina Panthers Charles Godfrey, center, and Thomas Davis, top, during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
Carolina Panthers' Matt Moore (3) is hit by Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen (69) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. Moore fumbled the ball but the Panthers recovered. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs for 6 yards during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) prepares to throw a pass under pressure from Minnesota Vikings' Lance Johnstone (51) during the second quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 30, 2005. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme passes during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Minneapolis.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
Minnesota Vikings' Daunte Culpepper (11) reacts after he was hit during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 30, 2005. Culpepper left the game with a sprained knee. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith (89) runs past Minnesota Vikings' Fred Smoot (27) after a catch during the second quarter,Sunday Oct. 30, 2005, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor, center, is brought down after a two-yard gain by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers, top, Chris Draft, left, in the first quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Jonathan Stewart runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Jonathan Stewart goes up for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Luke Kuechly against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton carries the football against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Kawann Short sacks the quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Vernon Butler and Luke Kuechly make a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Julius Peppers pressures the quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Luke Kuechly against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton passes against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Devin Funchess scores a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton and the Panthers line up in the red zone during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Mario Addison rushes the quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Mario Addison makes a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Captain Munnerlyn makes a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
