CHARLOTTE -- Minnesota already was down two starting offensive linemen (center Pat Elflein and right tackle Mike Remmers) before kickoff in Carolina. They lost another when left tackle Riley Reiff went down in the third quarter with an ankle injury, which forced four reserve linemen to play out of position to try to help the team rally late in the game.

For the first time since Week 4, the Vikings were put through a brutal test of physical wills by having to shuffle and make changes based on the injuries that set them back from the start.

Minnesota’s eight-game winning streak ended with a 31-24 loss to the Panthers on Sunday. The Vikings will have to wait another week to secure their first trip to the postseason since 2015. An alternative way for the Vikings to win the NFC North -- a loss or tie for both Green Bay and Detroit -- didn’t pan out.

Without its offensive line at full strength, the Vikings struggled to protect Case Keenum, who was sacked a season-high six times after taking nine sacks total in Weeks 2-13. Keenum did his best to weather the storm, using his scrambling ability to extend plays and pick up first downs. He finished with 280 yards passing for two touchdowns and 40 yards rushing, but threw two interceptions and committed a turnover when he was sacked in the third quarter. Defensive end Mario Addison hit Keenum as he was attempting to throw out of the shotgun. The ball was recovered by Carolina, which settled for a field goal after the drive stalled just outside of the red zone.

The Vikings experienced uncharacteristic struggles in areas where they excelled throughout their winning streak. Kyle Rudolph and Adam Thielen had rare drops in the first half. Thielen wasn’t able to grab control of a potential touchdown pass that cost the team a score before halftime. Minnesota led the league in third-down efficiency coming in and was only able to convert seven times on 15 attempts. On four trips inside the red zone, the Vikings came away with only one touchdown.

The Vikings' biggest stop on defense came late in the game, when Andrew Sendejo picked off Cam Newton and returned the ball to the 6-yard line, but another failed trip inside the 20-yard line forced Minnesota to settle for a field goal.

"I missed a throw after Sendejo’s interception," Keenum said. "We have to score a touchdown there. When the defense comes up big after we score and pulls it within three, I wanted that one bad and I know all the those guys did too. Coming away with a field goal there, that was tough."

Minnesota's defensive game plan was centered on limiting Newton's runs, but the Vikings weren't able to account for the other part of Carolina's three-headed monster.

By the end of the first quarter, Minnesota’s second-ranked run defense was battered. Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart gashed the Vikings for a 60-yard rushing touchdown on the Panthers’ first drive, the first run of more than 30 yards that Minnesota has allowed all season after holding teams to an average of 77.7 yards on the ground entering Week 14.

Stewart went on to rack up 103 rushing yards, the first time the Vikings have allowed more than 90 yards to a single rusher since Ameer Abdullah had 94 in Minnesota’s last loss (Week 4).

But it was Newton’s 62-yard run for a key first down after the Vikings tied the game 24-24 late that sealed Minnesota’s fate. The Panthers wound up scoring on Stewart's third touchdown of the day, then held off the Vikings’ late-game push.