Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) and Cam Newton (1) celebrate their touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Jonathan Stewart ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns, and the Carolina Panthers snapped the Minnesota Vikings' eight-game winning streak with a 31-24 victory Sunday.
Cam Newton threw for 137 yards and a touchdown and ran for 75 yards as the Panthers (9-4) racked up 216 yards on the ground against the league's No. 2 ranked defense to pull even with the Saints atop the NFC South standings.
Carolina sacked Case Keenum six times and forced three turnovers to keep the Vikings (10-3) from clinching the NFC North division title.
After the Panthers squandered an 11-point fourth quarter lead, Newton broke free of the pocket and raced 62 yards for a key first down with 2 minutes remaining. Stewart scored his career-high third TD when he jumped over the line of scrimmage, reaching the ball across the goal line for a 31-24 lead.
Minnesota couldn't manage a first down on its final drive and turned the ball over on downs.
The Panthers seemed in control midway through the fourth quarter leading 24-13 after Newton made an off-balance throw to Devin Funchess for an 18-yard touchdown, and Mario Addison's strip-sack set up Graham Gano's field goal.
But the Vikings came charging back to tie it as Keenum hooked up on a 52-yard scoring strike on a crossing route. Blake Bell added 2-point conversion catch to cut the lead to three.
On Carolina's next possession, Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo intercepted Newton on a ball that sailed off the hands of Christian McCaffrey and returned it to the Carolina 6. But Carolina's defense had a huge stop, holding the Vikings to a field goal leaving the game tied with 3:07 left.
INJURIES:
Vikings: Linebacker Emmanuel Lamur left game with a foot injury and did not return.
Panthers: Tight end Greg Olsen left briefly after re-injuring his foot, but did return.
UP NEXT
Vikings: Host the Bengals next Sunday.
Panthers: Host the Packers next Sunday.
___
More AP NFL: http://pro32.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass as Minnesota Vikings' Everson Griffen (97) closes in during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers' Christian McCaffrey (22) runs past Minnesota Vikings' Xavier Rhodes (29) and Eric Kendricks (54) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) catches a pass as Minnesota Vikings' Trae Waynes (26) defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) runs past Minnesota Vikings' Eric Kendricks (54) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph (82) reaches in vain for a catch in the end zone as Carolina Panthers' Mike Adams (29) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings' Case Keenum (7) runs as Carolina Panthers' Mike Adams (29) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings' Case Keenum (7) runs past Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings' Laquon Treadwell (11) runs as Carolina Panthers' Daryl Worley (26) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Trainers work on Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings' Case Keenum (7) escapes the tackle of Carolina Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn (41) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass under pressure from Minnesota Vikings' Tom Johnson (92) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers' Brenton Bersin (11) is upended by Minnesota Vikings' Andrew Sendejo (34) and Eric Kendricks (54) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings' Anthony Barr (55) grabs the facemark of Carolina Panthers' Christian McCaffrey (22) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph (82) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Carolina Panthers with Stefon Diggs during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers' Daryl Worley (26) intercepts a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings' Adam Thielen (19) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is introduced before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
The Associated Press