Game #12 Minnesota Vikings vs Patriots 12-02-2018

[BigKen]

The Minnesota Vikings visit The Patriots Sunday at Foxboro. The game is scheduled to start at 4:25 PM.

The Vikings are a pass first offense and will be attempting to pick apart the lackluster Patriots secondary.

Here are the facts from NFL.COM:

OFFENSE: Vikings 18th Patriots 11th
Passing:
Vikings 7th 285 Points 283 Y/Game 22 TD
Patriots 11th 307 Points 270 Y/Game 19 TD

Rushing:
Vikings 30th 83.3 Y/Game
Patriots 12th 118.2 Y/Game

DEFENSE: Vikings 28th Patriots 13th
Passing:
Vikings 28th
Patriots 8th

Rushing:
Vikings 28th
Patriots 18th

Vikings attempt about 8-10 more passes per game because they have a poor rushing offense and Latavius Murray is their only productive back.

Sony Michel should have another 100 yard game because the Vikes just cannot stop the run. The play action should be a huge weapon against the Vikings. Vikings can't stop the pass either but a good rushing offense should have them worn out by the middle of the third quarter and Brady should be able to throw anywhere he wants.

The Vikes struggled to beat a depleted Green Bay Packer team last week. I think this game should go pretty much like the Jets game.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

I think this game will appear to be very competitive but towards the end the Pats will gradually pull away. There's something about the Vikings coach that I really really don't like so I hope we spank them.

Pats 33 Vikings 20

 

[Shoeshine Boy]

Burkhead activated, Tobin cut

 

[BigKen]

Burkhead activated, Tobin cut

They need a "Banger" at the goal line and hopefully Burkhead can fill that role.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

This game like every game this season has me nervous. But, I do expect a NE win.

I'm with Ken on this I see a big game from Sony. White may have a decent game on swing passes and screens? Burkhead likely limited in the # of touches but it will be nice to have him back.

 

[Southieinnc]

Patriots outclass the Vikings and win handily.

 

[SDGuy73]

Most consecutive playoff appearances. All time.
Patriots - 2009 - Active (9-years)
Colts - 2002 - 2010 (9-years)
Cowboys - 1975 - 1983 (9-years)
-------------
Consecutive Seasons a Team has won at least one playoff game. Active streaks.
Patriots - 7. 2011-Now.
Falcons - 2. 2016, 2017.
5 teams since 2017.
-----------
Most consecutive 10 win seasons. All-time.
49ers - 16 - 1983 - 1998. I never thought anyone would ever get close to this record.
Patriots - 15 - 2003 - Active. Pats tie this season.
Colts - 9 - 2002 - 2010
Cowboys - 7 - 1975 - 1981

 

[BigKen]

The game plan for Sunday should be a healthy dose of Michel and Burkhead to start. People forget that the Vikings are an indoor team now. Weather forecast for Sunday is rain/snow mix and temps in the upper thirties. Just punch them right in mouthand keep swinging. Tire out the defensive line and by the end of the 3rd quarter Brady should have pretty much all day to throw the ball. If the weather is nasty, Cousins will really struggle. Even when he played for the Redskins he had problems playing in rain and snow.

According to the locals, the Patriots were practicing all week with 6 DBs .Looks like they be in a zoneand once the ball is hiked they double up on Theilin.

Diggs has not prsacticed at all this week.

 

[BigKen]

Below is the MinnesotaVikings schedule so far in 2018. The Vikings have a 6-4-1 record.
If take a closer look at that record a very interesting thing emerges. The 6 wins have come against teams that are all under .500. The closest team to .500 are 5-6 Eagles. The Vikings have lost against every team with a 8-3 record or better. The only exception was week 3 against the Bills. Two of the four losses on the road were against the Rams and Bears, two were at home against the Saints and Bills.

It's pretty easy to have a good record when the competition is less than stellar

1 Sun, Sep 9
vs San Francisco(2-9)
W24-16 1-0

2 Sun, Sep 16
@ Green Bay(4-6-1)
T29-29 OT 1-0-1

3 Sun, Sep 23
vs Buffalo(4-7)
L27-6 1-1-1

4 Thu, Sep 27
@ Los Angeles(10-1)
L38-31 1-2-1

5 Sun, Oct 7
@ Philadelphia(5-6)
W23-21 2-2-1

6 Sun, Oct 14
vs Arizona(2-9)
W27-17 3-2-1

7 Sun, Oct 21
@ New York(3-8)
W37-17 4-2-1

8 Sun, Oct 28
vs New Orleans(10-2)
L30-20 4-3-1

9 Sun, Nov 4
vs Detroit(4-7)
W24-9 5-3-1

10 BYE WEEK

11 Sun, Nov 18
@ Chicago(8-3)
L25-20 5-4-1

12 Sun, Nov 25
vs Green Bay(4-6-1)
W24-17 6-4-1

To be fair, I wanted to see how the Patriots record compared.

They've had losses against Jacksonville (3-8), Detruit (4-7) and Tennessee (5-6) (Straneisn't it? All losing records)

The Patriots wins have been against Houston (8-3), Kansas City (9-2), Miami 5-6), Indianapolis (6-5),
Chicago (8-3), Buffalo (4-7), Green Bay (4-6-1), NY Jets (3-8)

While the Patriots schedule hasn't been bone-crushing, the Patriots have done much better against opponents with a winning record. One can argue that the Vikes have had to up against the Saints and Rams, but argument can be made that the Patriots have had to go against the Chiefs and Texans.

There are three very specific things going against the Vikings this week.
1. Patriots have a winning record against teams with a winning record.
2. The Patriots are playing at home.
3. The game is being played outdoors. (If the forecast is correct, then weather will be a fourth problem)

All indications are that the Vikings are a pretender and not a contender.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Most consecutive playoff appearances. All time.
Patriots - 2009 - Active (9-years)
Colts - 2002 - 2010 (9-years)
Cowboys - 1975 - 1983 (9-years)
-------------
Consecutive Seasons a Team has won at least one playoff game. Active streaks.
Patriots - 7. 2011-Now.
Falcons - 2. 2016, 2017.
5 teams since 2017.
-----------
Most consecutive 10 win seasons. All-time.
49ers - 16 - 1983 - 1998. I never thought anyone would ever get close to this record.
Patriots - 15 - 2003 - Active. Pats tie this season.
Colts - 9 - 2002 - 2010
Cowboys - 7 - 1975 - 1981

Most Consecutive winning seasons
Patriots 18 '01 - '18
Cowboys 20 '66 - '85 (Includes pre SB Era, 14 & 16 game seasons AND and strike year record of 6 - 3)

Most consecutive division champs
Patriots 9 '09 - now. Extend this year

 

[Yankee Traveler]

506sports.com - Home

My dilemma...

How do I watch the game???
Beside the west coast, everywhere but Nashville gets the Pats/Vikes.
I am right on the KY border so I get Nashville Fox station.

How do I get the game???
Even a replay would be ok, but I don't know how to find a replay schedule.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

506sports.com - Home

My dilemma...

How do I watch the game???
Beside the west coast, everywhere but Nashville gets the Pats/Vikes.
I am right on the KY border so I get Nashville Fox station.

How do I get the game???
Even a replay would be ok, but I don't know how to find a replay schedule.

I could be crazy but I'm pretty sure this is the game that's being shown nationally. That's the indication I got during halftime last night on my local Los Angeles station.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I could be crazy but I'm pretty sure this is the game that's being shown nationally. That's the indication I got during halftime last night on my local Los Angeles station.

Yup.
It is the National game.
Click the link.
West coast is blue for the San Francisco at Seattle game.
The rest of the nation is red for the Minnesota At New England game.


Except Nashville.

Grey.

Or Gray.

No Fox late game being broadcast out of Nashville.

I looked at my directory on AT&T for Sunday and there is no late game shown there either.

Because the Titans are playing at home against the Jets.

 

[fknhippie]

Just hoping the Vikes show up for a nationally televised game and put up a good fight.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

Yup.
It is the National game.
Click the link.
West coast is blue for the San Francisco at Seattle game.
The rest of the nation is red for the Minnesota At New England game.


Except Nashville.

Grey.

Or Gray.

No Fox late game being broadcast out of Nashville.

I looked at my directory on AT&T for Sunday and there is no late game shown there either.

Because the Titans are playing at home against the Jets.

FUCK!!!!!! I guess I gotta watch in on my phone again.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

Just hoping the Vikes show up for a nationally televised game and put up a good fight.

I hope they don't.

 

[SDGuy73]

FUCK!!!!!! I guess I gotta watch in on my phone again.

How? I'm in Seahawk country.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

FUCK!!!!!! I guess I gotta watch in on my phone again.

You in Nashville or the left coast?

 

[sharkymcwrath]

How? I'm in Seahawk country.

Download the NFL app from the app store. You can watch all the games for free. You just gotta watch them on your phone. Better than nothing.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

You in Nashville or the left coast?

Los Angeles.

Bought property back in MA middle of last year but have no idea when we're moving back.