Minnesota (+5) at New England (8-3)

[oldunclemark]

4:25 EST   Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and "Done Dancing with the Stars" Erin Andrews on FOX

Low 40 and a chance of rain in Foxborough Mass,  over-under at 49.5

 

Pivotal game in both the NFC and AFC

...a 4th NE loss almost assures KC (9-2) he top seed in the conference

a 7th Viking win makes it almost impossible for Green Bay (4-6-1) to make the post-season

 

"Captain Kirk" Cousins (318 of 447, 3,289 yards, 22 TDs, 7 INTs) has No.1 receiver Adam Thielen (93 catches, 1.138 yards) but big threat Stefon Diggs (79 catches, 790 yards) is hurt and may not play. 

The Vikings have 36 QB sacks led by DE Danielle Hunter (11  1/2) and they have allowed just 36 rushing first downs all season.

But Minnesota is an odd production team on offense.  In 11 games they have score 20 or more 10 times. But the Vikings have not scored more than 31 points in any game. And Minnesota lost to Buffalo (4-7).  I dont know how they pulled themsevles together after that one/

 

NE old timer 'Shady' Tom Brady is 262 of 402 for 3,301 yards, 19 TDs and seven interceptions and he does have big Josh Gordon (31 catches, 547 yards) to go deep and Rob Gronkowski (32 catches, 504 yards) to run people over,.  RB James White has caught 67 passes out of the backfield.

The Pats defense has only 16 sacks and they also have hard-to-explain losses to Tennessee (5-6) and Detroit (4-7).

But New England (8-3) is 5-0 at home.

 

I think the 'number' here is way too high...especially if it rains

If Minnesota doesnt have Diggs…...this gets down to a 23-20 type of game

Odd things happen late in games at New England so kits hard to pick the Vikings to win.

But I'd take Minnesota with 5 points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NFLfan]

Thanks, Uncle Mark. Thankfully, Diggs will play. We need the Vikings OL to help in the running game and make holes for Cook and Murray. That will open up the passing game. I hope Cousins targets Cook as well as Diggs and Thielen. 

 

Our defense seems to start slow every game and get stronger as the game goes on. Someone wrote on the Daily Norseman that Vikings defense is #1 in DVOA since Week 6. We will need the defense to step up. 

 

Anyway, Go Vikes. Skol! 

[oldunclemark]

Missed FG  early...7-0 for the 'Shady One'

[King Colt]

There is the NFL and there is the Patriots. New definition of insanity: Thinking someday this will change.

[oldunclemark]

Big time TD at the half....cuts the NE lead to 10-7..

Vikings havent had the ball that much

[2006Coltsbestever]

Great game here. 10-7 Pats at Half. Go Vikes!

[NFLfan]

11 minutes ago, oldunclemark said:

Big time TD at the half....cuts the NE lead to 10-7..

Vikings havent had the ball that much

 

We should be tied. Bailey missed a FG again. 

[oldunclemark]

Penalties derailed that last NE drive...they never get called for holding.

Must be using non-union refs today

 

The rush isn't getting to Cousins.....The Vikings are turning this around

[oldunclemark]

Rudolph catches the ball and then  steps one foot out of bounds..then the ball pops out.

That's a completion..

...Refs wont take that away

[2006Coltsbestever]

1 minute ago, oldunclemark said:

Rudolph catches the ball and then  steps one foot out of bounds..then the ball pops out.

That's a completion..

...Refs wont take thst away

At least the Vikings aren't playing against the REFS like we were today. Surprising really because the Pats usually get away with holding alot  

[2006Coltsbestever]

10-10 new game! 

[oldunclemark]

Pats are getting a little 'handsy' in the end zone..

…..refs let it go....  10-10 tie.. Its on!

[oldunclemark]

  Either Minnesota's O-line is better than I thought

..or the Pats pass rush is out of gas

[2006Coltsbestever]

Pats respond better than any team I have ever seen when someone ties them. They make stuff look easy. 17-10 now.

[oldunclemark]

wow....they just walked down the field.17-10 Pats....

 

Got to score every time now

[2006Coltsbestever]

3 minutes ago, oldunclemark said:

wow....they just walked down the field.17-10 Pats....

 

Got to score every time now

Yeah the Pats are still dangerous and I have been saying their window is still open for this season but after this season it will be shut IMO. 

[oldunclemark]

Thatt turned around...fast  24-10...impressive..

Not over yet

[oldunclemark]

2 questions..Did Cook make that 4th and 1?

 

..and does Bill Belichik really keep his red flag in his sock...>?

[oldunclemark]

The answer to both is YES!

[oldunclemark]

4th and 9...threw a 6-yard pass...Cant do that......I saw the blitz but on 4th down..you've got top throw for the line to gain

Kendrick picks off Brady..Vikes still alive

[oldunclemark]

Kirk underthrew it in the end zone..interception…..Pats win again

[oldunclemark]

24-10 final.....Pats played a very strong second half...offensively and defensively

[King Colt]

Funny game item: Watch Belichiks lips when he reacts to a Vikings player get in his face after he throws the red flag challenging a spot of the ball. Guarantee it was "Go #$%& yourself!"

[Chrisaaron1023]

Games played at Gillette are boring and predictable

[2006Coltsbestever]

Just now, Chrisaaron1023 said:

Games played at Gillette are boring and predictable

Yep, it's comical. 

[oldunclemark]

did everybody in the NFC Central lose Sunday?

[King Colt]

12 hours ago, King Colt said:

Funny game item: Watch Belichiks lips when he reacts to a Vikings player get in his face after he throws the red flag challenging a spot of the ball. Guarantee it was "Shut the #$%& up!"