Vikings, without a blocked punt for TD since 1986, do it twice vs. Carolina

You probably didn't know the bit of trivia that the Minnesota Vikings, entering this week's games, had the NFL's longest streak since their last blocked punt for a touchdown. Yep, people track such things.

It had been 459 games. Fox Sports North's Brian Hall reported that the player who last did it for Minnesota was cornerback Issaic Holt. It came against the 49ers on Oct. 12, 1986.

And after going 28 years without one, the Vikings had two in the first half against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Adam Thielen broke the long drought. He came free and blocked the Panthers punt, then recovered it and scored. That happened in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Jasper Brinkley and Everson Griffen combined to break a much, much shorter drought. Brinkley had the block, Griffen scooped it and scored. After more than 1,800 quarters without a punt block for a touchdown, the Vikings didn't even have to wait a full quarter for their next one.

The Panthers' special teams meetings next week probably won't be too enjoyable.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab

from Yahoo Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/vikings--wihtout-a-blocked-punt-for-td-since-1986--do-it-twice-vs--carolina-190854521.html