With a chance to get their 7th win and then be in position to drop the Bills to 0-3 in the division next Thursday, the Patriots have work to do on this holiday evening. While it will be work, I think the game will be a fun win for the Patriots and fans.
EQUAL OFFENSES- If you look at the NFL offensive rankings, you'll see that the Patriots and Vikings are pretty similar in every category. Both teams have played in one overtime game giving them both extended opportunities for yards and points. The Vikings have played 6 home games in their dome. Generally, playing in a dome is going to be an advantage for the offense. While it doesn't necessarily give the Vikings a home field advantage, it does give them an extra boost to moving the ball and scoring points without dealing with wind, precipitation, and the sun. Tonight will be the Patriots first dome game of the season.
PATRIOTS ADVANTAGE ON DEFENSE- The Patriots defense is one of the best in the league this season. Minnesota on the other hand is one of the worst. Over the course of one game the Vikings typically give up 90 more yards and 7 more points than the Patriots. Since about 80 of these yards come from passes, this should be a game where Mac can put up some numbers. Considering that the Vikings have the worst red zone defense and the second worst at goal to go, the Patriots should be able to score some touchdowns. As would be assumed with a bad defense, the Vikings are 30th in the league with the number of first downs they give up per game (22). Since first downs by Mac and the offense translates into rest time for the defense, moving the chains is a good way to keep Judon fresh and ready to put Kirk Cousins on his butt a few times.
PRE-SNAP PENALTIES- Both teams are big fans of jumping the gun on offense. The Patriots have 13 false starts to the Vikings 10. With delay of game penalties, the Vikings have the slight edge of 5 to 4.
WHO TO STOP- The three players the Patriots need to stop are Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook. Cook is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 6 yards per reception. This season Cook has run for 90+ yards every other week. Last week he ran for only 72, so this is the week he is due to put up numbers. Most of his big receiving games have match up with his big run games. Stopping him should be priority number one. While Jefferson is a stud, if the Patriots do turn Kirk Cousins into Prime-Time Kirk Cousins, he'll be rendered useless for the second week in a row.
PRE-SNAP PENALTIES- Both teams are big fans of jumping the gun on offense. The Patriots have 13 false starts to the Vikings 10. With delay of game penalties, the Vikings have the slight edge of 5 to 4.
WHO TO STOP- The three players the Patriots need to stop are Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook. Cook is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 6 yards per reception. This season Cook has run for 90+ yards every other week. Last week he ran for only 72, so this is the week he is due to put up numbers. Most of his big receiving games have match up with his big run games. Stopping him should be priority number one. While Jefferson is a stud, if the Patriots do turn Kirk Cousins into Prime-Time Kirk Cousins, he'll be rendered useless for the second week in a row.
PATRIOTS OFFENSIVE PLAN- Last week Mac a somewhat good game statistically. He didn't turn it over, but he also didn't find the end zone. Visually, it wasn't that great of game. He still seemed panicked in the pocket and stepped into too many sacks at horrible times. While it won't help Mac statistically, if the Patriots are in a goal to go position, I'd be happy to see the Patriots run some plays with Rhamondre or Harris taking direct snaps and Mac safely on the sideline. With the Vikings having a weak defense, I'd like to see Thornton and Parker go deep a time or two instead of having them run to the sticks and get crushed. That middle of the field stuff needs to go to Meyers, Henry, and Stevenson.
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