CHARLOTTE — The Panthers did not give up, when there was every expectation that they might have.
That might have made the result even crueler.
The Panthers lost 34-28 to the Vikings in overtime, in a period they didn't appear capable of reaching for so much of the day.
Kirk Cousins hit K.J. Osborn for a 27-yard touchdown pass to cap the first possession of the extra frame, leaving the Panthers unable to answer.
But so many times Sunday, they had done just that.
The Panthers looked hopelessly lost when Sam Darnold led an 11-play, 96-yard touchdown drive with 42 seconds left in the game, to tie the Vikings, 28-28.
During that drive, unlikely targets became trustworthy, with Ian Thomas' 41-yard catch-and-run providing a lift. Then came Robby Anderson's touchdown reception, punctuating a day filled with drops. And then came the two-point conversion shovel pass to Tommy Tremble.
But they left the Vikings with time, and it took kicker Greg Joseph missing a second field goal to allow the extra session.
It was a day of exhilarating highs, but the Panthers will be left to consider all the chances they missed throughout the day.
It wasn't necessarily the third quarter.
And it wasn't necessarily the special teams.
While the Vikings made timely plays following swings in momentum, the Panthers fell flat at the wrong times.
If there was a single play that seemed to boil down the Panthers' early frustrations to an essence, it was when Darnold hit Moore for a nice completion with 4:00 left in the third quarter, the kind of quick pass they needed in the face of the Vikings pressure, to answer after the Vikings had re-taken the lead.
Moore, their most reliable receiver, fumbled.
The fact it was the first time all day a Panthers receiver had recorded his second reception was the underscore on a play that looked so good.
The Panthers were unable to sustain any rhythm in the passing game, constantly in third-and-longs, and just 2-of-12 converting on thirds.
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October 18, 2021 at 04:00AM
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Rapid Reactions: Panthers fall in overtime to Vikings - Panthers.com
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