NFL Matchup Center
Minnesota Vikings
Carolina Panthers
Vikings vs Panthers
An interconference series the two teams have played 17 times since Carolina entered the league in 1995. Minnesota holds the all-time edge and has won three straight. Here is the complete head-to-head record, the last result, and the 2026 rematch date.
All-time series
Vikings lead 11-6
Total meetings
17 regular-season games
Last meeting
Oct 1, 2023, Vikings 21-13
2026 schedule
Week 13, Sun Dec 6, home
Series overview
A short but competitive interconference series
The Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers play in different conferences, so their schedules only cross on an interconference rotation, plus the occasional standalone game. Carolina joined the NFL as an expansion franchise in 1995, and the two teams have met 17 times since their first game in 1996, all in the regular season. Minnesota holds the all-time advantage, 11-6, and has won the last three meetings in a row.
Unlike some of Minnesota's division rivalries, this series has no shared playoff history: the two franchises have never met in the postseason. It has still produced some memorable results, from a 2001 season-opening upset in Minnesota to a wild 2021 overtime finish in Charlotte.
This matchup is on Minnesota's 2026 regular-season schedule: Week 13, Sunday, December 6, 2026, a home game at U.S. Bank Stadium with a 3:25 PM CST kickoff on CBS (per the site's own 2026 schedule). This page will be updated with a full game preview closer to kickoff.
All-time record
Vikings vs Panthers head-to-head record
Regular-season meetings only. The teams have never met in the postseason.
17 games, Vikings lead 11-6
Minnesota is 7-3 at home in the series (Metrodome, TCF Bank Stadium and U.S. Bank Stadium combined) and 4-3 on the road at Carolina. The Vikings have also won 4 of the last 5 meetings and are unbeaten in the series' two overtime games. Their largest margin of victory is 18 points, in 2014; Carolina's largest win came by 25 points, in 2005.
| Total meetings | 17 |
|---|---|
| Vikings wins | 11 |
| Panthers wins | 6 |
| Ties | 0 |
| Playoff meetings | 0 |
| Vikings home record | 7-3 |
| Vikings road record | 4-3 |
| Overtime games | Vikings 2-0 |
| Last 5 meetings | Vikings 4-1 |
| Current streak | Vikings, 3 straight |
| Largest Vikings win | 31-13 (2014), by 18 |
| Largest Panthers win | 38-13 (2005), by 25 |
Figures reflect all 17 regular-season meetings through October 1, 2023, the two teams' most recent completed game. No game between Minnesota and Carolina has been played since.
Latest meeting
Minnesota Vikings 21, Carolina Panthers 13
Week 4 of the 2023 regular season, October 1, 2023, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte.
October 1, 2023 · Week 4 · Bank of America Stadium
Vikings' first win of the 2023 season
Vikings
21
Panthers
13
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
| Panthers | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Scoring summary
- Q1Sam Franklin returns a Kirk Cousins interception 99 yards for a touchdownPanthers 7, Vikings 0
- Q2Kirk Cousins pass to Justin Jefferson, touchdownPanthers 7, Vikings 7
- Q2Eddy Pineiro, 56-yard field goalPanthers 13, Vikings 7
- Q3D.J. Wonnum returns a fumble 51 yards for a touchdown, forced by a Harrison Smith strip-sack of Bryce YoungPanthers 13, Vikings 14
- Q3Kirk Cousins pass to Justin Jefferson, 30-yard touchdownVikings 21, Panthers 13
Player stats from the latest meeting
Minnesota Vikings
- Kirk Cousins, passing: 12/19, 139 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
- Alexander Mattison, rushing: 17 carries, 95 yards
- Justin Jefferson, receiving: 6 catches, 85 yards, 2 TD
Carolina Panthers
- Bryce Young, passing: 25/32, 204 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
- Chuba Hubbard, rushing: 14 carries, 41 yards
- Adam Thielen, receiving: 7 catches, 76 yards
Bryce Young out-threw Kirk Cousins in raw yardage and completions, but Minnesota won the turnover and explosive-play battle: Harrison Smith's strip-sack set up a D.J. Wonnum fumble-return touchdown, and Cousins found Justin Jefferson twice for scores despite two interceptions of his own, including a 99-yard pick-six. Former Vikings receiver Adam Thielen, dealt to Carolina earlier in 2023, led all Panthers receivers against his old team.
All-time record and last game
Vikings vs Panthers team comparison
The all-time head-to-head balance, plus a team-by-team look at the two sides' offensive output in their last meeting.
17 meetings, Vikings lead 11-6
All 17 meetings have come in the regular season. Minnesota has won 4 of the last 5 meetings and is unbeaten in both overtime games the series has produced.
Total yards, Oct 1, 2023
Net passing yards, Oct 1, 2023
Rushing yards, Oct 1, 2023
Time of possession, Oct 1, 2023
Current-season (2026) team statistics are not included here: only one week has been played (Minnesota opened with a 39-22 home win over Green Bay on September 13), which is not a meaningful sample, and Minnesota does not play Carolina until Week 13. Current-season comparisons will be more useful as the season progresses; see the standings and the Week 1 recap and box score. This comparison uses verified totals from the two teams' last completed meeting instead of estimating current-season form.
Match history
Every Vikings vs Panthers meeting
All 17 regular-season games, most recent first.
| Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2023 | Vikings 21, Panthers 13 | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| October 17, 2021 | Vikings 34, Panthers 28 (OT) | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| November 29, 2020 | Vikings 28, Panthers 27 | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis |
| December 10, 2017 | Panthers 31, Vikings 24 | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| September 25, 2016 | Vikings 22, Panthers 10 | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| November 30, 2014 | Vikings 31, Panthers 13 | TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis |
| October 13, 2013 | Panthers 35, Vikings 10 | Mall of America Field, Minneapolis |
| October 30, 2011 | Vikings 24, Panthers 21 | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| December 20, 2009 | Panthers 26, Vikings 7 | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| September 21, 2008 | Vikings 20, Panthers 10 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis |
| September 17, 2006 | Vikings 16, Panthers 13 (OT) | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis |
| October 30, 2005 | Panthers 38, Vikings 13 | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| September 22, 2002 | Panthers 21, Vikings 14 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis |
| September 9, 2001 | Panthers 24, Vikings 13 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis |
| November 19, 2000 | Vikings 31, Panthers 17 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis |
| October 12, 1997 | Vikings 21, Panthers 14 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis |
| October 6, 1996 | Vikings 14, Panthers 12 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis |
Mall of America Field was the Metrodome's naming-rights identity from 2011-2013; TCF Bank Stadium hosted the Vikings in 2014-2015 during U.S. Bank Stadium's construction. Every meeting listed above was a regular-season game; the teams have never met in the playoffs.
Notable meetings
September 9, 2001 — Panthers 24, Vikings 13. Carolina, coming off a 7-9 season, upset a Minnesota team many expected to contend, winning the season opener at the Metrodome behind rookie quarterback Chris Weinke and a Steve Smith kickoff-return touchdown. It remains one of the series' biggest surprises given the two teams' records entering the game.
September 25, 2016 — Vikings 22, Panthers 10. Minnesota snapped Carolina's 14-game home winning streak at Bank of America Stadium, rallying from a sluggish first half (34 total yards) with a Sam Bradford touchdown pass and a Marcus Sherels punt-return score.
October 17, 2021 — Vikings 34, Panthers 28 (OT). Kirk Cousins hit K.J. Osborn for a 27-yard touchdown on Minnesota's first overtime possession, capping a back-and-forth game in which Cousins threw for 373 yards and Dalvin Cook rushed for 140.
Game day
How to watch and follow the matchup
There is no standalone viewing guide for this specific game yet. The Week 13, 2026 game kicks off at 3:25 PM CST on CBS; use these site resources for any schedule changes and live scoring as it approaches.
Where to Watch
All of Minnesota's game-day viewing guides, updated with TV network and streaming details as each week approaches.
Full 2026 Schedule
Every Vikings game in 2026, including the Week 13 home date against Carolina, with kickoff times in Central Time.
Game Center
Live scoring, drive charts and in-game updates once the 2026 season is underway.
Tickets
General ticket information for U.S. Bank Stadium home games.
Reader questions
Frequently asked questions
Who won the last Vikings vs Panthers game?
Minnesota won 21-13 on October 1, 2023, at Bank of America Stadium. Justin Jefferson scored twice on passes from Kirk Cousins.
What is the Vikings' all-time record against the Panthers?
Minnesota leads the regular-season series 11-6 across 17 meetings since 1996.
Have the Vikings and Panthers ever met in the playoffs?
No. All 17 meetings between the two franchises have been regular-season games.
What was the largest margin of victory in the series?
Carolina's 38-13 win in 2005 is the largest margin, 25 points. Minnesota's largest win is 31-13 in 2014, an 18-point margin.
Are the Vikings playing the Panthers in 2026?
Yes. Per Minnesota's 2026 schedule, the Vikings host Carolina in Week 13, on Sunday, December 6, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kickoff is 3:25 PM CST on CBS.
Have the Vikings and Panthers ever played in overtime?
Yes, twice: a 16-13 Vikings win in 2006 and a 34-28 Vikings win in 2021. Minnesota is 2-0 in overtime games in this series.
Who had the most passing yards in the last meeting?
Bryce Young led all passers with 204 yards for Carolina. Kirk Cousins threw for 139 yards and two touchdowns for Minnesota.
Who had the most receiving yards in the last meeting?
Adam Thielen, a former Viking traded to Carolina earlier in 2023, led all receivers with 76 yards for the Panthers. Justin Jefferson led Minnesota with 85 yards and two touchdowns.
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