Vikings Hang On, Win, 14-12

MINNEAPOLIS —  A two-touchdown lead in the second half was too much for the Minnesota Vikings. A two-point victory was more appropriate.

The Vikings built a 14-0 lead on two short touchdown catches by Cris Carter, then held to beat the Carolina Panthers, 14-12, Sunday, a victory sealed by the second of Dewayne Washington’s two interceptions.

The Vikings took a lead into the fourth quarter for the first time this season. They also were outscored in the final period for the first time, but stopped the Panthers when they had to and remained tied with Green Bay atop the NFC Central.

“Our early lead helped us out because they were coming on strong at the end,” said safety Robert Griffith, who had one of Minnesota’s four interceptions. “I was happy to get away with a win.”

The Vikings (5-1) nearly gave it away with nine penalties and another sputtering offensive performance. But the defense forced six turnovers and held Carolina to John Kasay’s 22-yard field goal with 6:28 to play after the Panthers (3-2) had a second and four at the Viking five.

Kasay’s kick provided the final points of the game. Washington’s interception with 3:08 to play put Carolina away and raised the question of what the Vikings would do with a comfortable fourth-quarter lead.

“I don’t think we’d know how to react,” said defensive end Derrick Alexander, who had eight tackles.

Minnesota is 5-1 for the first time since 1992, Coach Dennis Green’s first season. The Vikings, haven’t had a better six-game record since the 1976 team opened 5-0-1 on the way to the organization’s fourth Super Bowl loss.

The Panthers have lost two in a row for the first time since opening their inaugural season 0-5 last year.

They got a career day from Anthony Johnson, who started after Tshimanga Biakabutuka was lost for the season in last week’s loss at Jacksonville. Johnson carried 23 times for 102 yards, both career highs. He also scored the Panthers’ only touchdown, which cut Minnesota’s lead to 14-7 late in the third quarter.

“You can’t say enough about our defense,” said Minnesota offensive tackle Korey Stringer. “They are always making big plays when they need to be made. There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe how great they are playing this year.”