CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Vikings defensive line coach Andre Patterson had confidence in his group coming into Sunday’s contest against the Carolina Panthers. But did Patterson envision sacking Cam Newton eight times?
“No,” Patterson admitted. “I didn’t expect to come in here and get him on the ground eight times.”
Only once in his career had Newton been sacked as many times as he was in Minnesota’s 22-10 victory. And just like in the previous week against Aaron Rodgers, the Vikings’ plan to contain a scrambling quarterback worked to near perfection.
The Vikings’ defensive ends had to be careful with their speed rushes.