Defensive Dominance Gives Patriots Blowout Win in Minnesota
Sunday, September 14, 2014
The Patriots started the game on defense, looking to improve on their performance from Week 1. That did not happen as the Vikings marched 80 yards in seven plays before getting into the end zone on a 25-yard pass from Matt Cassel to Matt Asiata. Asiata was untouched as he went into the end zone, going right past linebacker Rob Ninkovich in his route. The Patriots linebackers had a tough drive as rookie Deontae Skinner was picked on by Kyle Rudolph. Rudolph had two catches for 26 yards on the drive.
The Patriots first drive was much of the same from Week 1. The Patriots ran on three consecutive plays and only gained nine yards before going three-and-out and punting back to the Vikings.
The Vikings appeared to be moving the ball well on their second possession before Matt Cassel made a mistake that would change the momentum. Cassel made a deep pass attempt to Jarius Wright, but Devin McCourty came over from his deep safety position and grabbed an interception. McCourty sprung up and returned the ball 60 yards before being pushed out by Matt Kalil at the 1 yard line.
It took the Patriots two Stevan Ridley rushes to hammer the ball into the end zone and tie the game 7-7. It was the first rushing touchdown of the year for Ridley and ended an opponent scoring run of 30-0 since halftime of the Miami Dolphins game.
After forcing a Vikings three-and-out, the Patriots offense was able to find a bit of rhythm. The Patriots moved the ball 40 yards in 10 plays before taking the lead on a 48-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal. The Patriots drive was saved by captain Dan Connolly, who recovered a Julian Edelman fumble on 3rd down in a pile of 5 Vikings and Connolly. His recovery allowed the Patriots to get the go-ahead field goal opportunity.
The Patriots defense kept the momentum going on the Vikings next drive. The big play came from Darrelle Revis, getting his first interception in a Patriots uniform. Revis got the interception on a deep pass. The pass was overthrown by Cassel due to good pressure from Patriots linemen Rob Ninkovich and Sealver Siliga.
The Patriots took advantage of the Revis interception, turning it into a touchdown drive. The 7-play, 61-yard drive was capped on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Julian Edelman. The play was made on a pre-snap read by Tom Brady. Brady saw a stacked line of scrimmage by the Vikings and quickly went from under center to a shotgun look. This gave him the extra moment of time that he needed to find a wide-open Edelman in the end zone, giving the Patriots the 17-7 lead.
The Vikings appeared poised to bring the game within one score at the end of the half as they lined up for a 48-yard field goal. The kick went up but Chandler Jones knifed through the line and leaped up for the field goal block. Jones not only blocked the kick, but scooped the block up and ran it back for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 24-7 lead. It was the first field goal block for the Patriots since October 2010, when Patrick Chung blocked a Dolphins field goal.
The Patriots took the 24-7 lead into the half. They were led by a great half from Tom Brady. Brady went 9-10 for 105 yards and a touchdown to Julian Edelman. Edelman led the team in receiving with five catches for 69 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, the Patriots got interceptions from Devin McCourty and Darrelle Revis. Their big defensive play maker in the half was Chandler Jones. Jones had four tackles, one sack and the field goal block and a score.
The 2nd half was no different for the Vikings as Matt Cassel threw his third interception of the game. The interception came from Logan Ryan this time. Ryan cut in front of Cordarrelle Patterson for the interception. The Patriots were able to convert the interception into a 47-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal to give the Patriots a 27-7 lead. The Patriots continued their trend, converting all three interceptions into points with 17 points off the three turnovers.
Both teams remained relatively quiet through the remainder of the 3rd Quarter, but the Patriots got back on the board to start the 4th Quarter. They scored on a 27-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal that capped an 11-play, 46-yard drive and gave the Patriots a 30-7 lead.
The Patriots were able to keep their defensive momentum going in the 4th quarter as they got yet another interception. The 4th interception of the day came from rookie defensive lineman Dominique Easley. The ball was deflected in the air by Matt Asiata on a pass from Cassel and Easley made a diving interception. It was the 4th interception of the game, giving the Patriots one in each quarter.
The Patriots were able to sit on the ball and run out the clock to preserve the 30-7 victory, moving them to 1-1. Tom Brady finished his day 15-22 for 149 yards and a touchdown. He was helped by a 25-carry, 101-yard day from Stevan Ridley. Julian Edelman led the Patriots with six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Patriots dominated the game. They got great performances from Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower and others. Both Jones and Hightower finished the day with eight tackles and two sacks. Jones also had the blocked field goal and touchdown. The Patriots got interceptions from Devin McCourty, Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan and Dominique Easley.
The Patriots also got a very good day from Stephen Gostkowski. Gostkowski went 3-for-3 on field goals and 3-for-3 on PAT's for a total of 12 points for the Patriots.
The lone negative for the Patriots came as a team, setting a new record for Bill Belichick with 15 penalties on the day.
Bill Belichick did, however, become the 6th coach in NFL history to get 200 career regular season wins with the 30-7 victory.
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