Post by Danchat on Nov 30, 2018 22:28:00 GMT -6
The Vikings will face the Patriots in Foxborough in a daunting matchup in which the Patriots haven't lost a home game since October 1st, 2017. Will Cousins be able to defeat his first opponent with a winning matchup since becoming a Viking?
Injury Report
*My Thoughts*
PFF still thinks of Tom Brady as an elite QB, but he hasn't been blowing defenses out of the water like he did in the past. While they haven't had as many huge plays, McDaniels' offense is more about making easy plays and minimizing mistakes. Brady will throw the ball quickly and dump it often when needed. James White already has a whopping 67 catches and is the definition of an NFL scatback. He also has a consistent chains-mover in Julian Edelman, a lid-breaker in Josh Gordon, and a disappointment in Chris Hogan. Gronk hasn't quite looked like himself this season with several nagging injuries bogging him down, and I'm not sure if he'll be a real threat. Patterson will likely get a couple plays as a HB or on jet sweeps, but with the HB position healthy now, his role will be minimal.
The running game has been a big success for the Patriots this season, and it should be as they surprisingly spent a 1st round pick on a HB - Sony Michel. He's an explosive speedster who has done a fine job getting what the O-line blocks for him. Speaking of which, the Patriots lost their franchise LT in free agency, and they've barely missed a step. They acquired Trent Brown in a trade with the 49ers and he's been passable there. They did spend another 1st rounder on Isaiah Wynn to play LT (which wasn't a fit for him IMO), but his Achilles blew up. It hasn't seemed to matter as the guard duo is phenomenal and Cannon is a good RT when healthy. David Andrews is a quality center, too. They won't give up much pressure.
On defense, the Patriots have had some ups and downs. They've given up 30+ points to Jacksonville (!!), Chicago, Tennessee, and Kansas City. Only the Chiefs game was at home, though. Their pass rush has been lacking outside of the up-and-coming Trey Flowers, but despite his disruption, he's only netted 3.5 sacks. Adrian Clayborn is a good rotation rusher, and PFF hates Deatrich Wise Jr. despite leading the team with 4.5 sacks. Cousins might have some time to pass. The running game will have some problems with Flowers being a great run defender and the DT rotation, with big stuffers in Shelton, Guy, and Brown, clogging the lanes. The LBs are underwhelming, as Dont'a Hightower isn't what he once was, and Elandon Roberts and Kyle Van Noy are mediocre.
The secondary is quietly good, but I believe they've been hurt by a lack of pass rush. The McCourty brothers are both great cover-ers at both the CB and S positions. Stephon Gilmore is a legitimate shutdown CB who will likely be placed on Stefon Diggs, which could be troubling. The Patriots will use 3 safety formations a whole bunch too, getting Duron Harmon in on at least half of the plays. This is a good defense, but keeping them on the field long enough with momentum shifting in the Vikings direction will tire them out quickly.
My Prediction: Patriots 23, Vikings 21
The Vikings should be able to put up a good fight, but Belichick is probably the best coach in the NFL [ever] and the Patriots rarely lose at home. I can't pick against the reigning AFC champs when the Vikings haven't beat good teams and haven't played well on the road.
Any thoughts?
Injury Report
Vikings
WR Beebe - Out
TE Morgan - Out
WR Diggs - Questionable
CB Rhodes - Questionable
CB Alexander - Questionable
WR Zylstra - Questionable
Patriots
TE Allen - Out
WR Beebe - Out
TE Morgan - Out
WR Diggs - Questionable
CB Rhodes - Questionable
CB Alexander - Questionable
WR Zylstra - Questionable
Patriots
TE Allen - Out
*My Thoughts*
PFF still thinks of Tom Brady as an elite QB, but he hasn't been blowing defenses out of the water like he did in the past. While they haven't had as many huge plays, McDaniels' offense is more about making easy plays and minimizing mistakes. Brady will throw the ball quickly and dump it often when needed. James White already has a whopping 67 catches and is the definition of an NFL scatback. He also has a consistent chains-mover in Julian Edelman, a lid-breaker in Josh Gordon, and a disappointment in Chris Hogan. Gronk hasn't quite looked like himself this season with several nagging injuries bogging him down, and I'm not sure if he'll be a real threat. Patterson will likely get a couple plays as a HB or on jet sweeps, but with the HB position healthy now, his role will be minimal.
The running game has been a big success for the Patriots this season, and it should be as they surprisingly spent a 1st round pick on a HB - Sony Michel. He's an explosive speedster who has done a fine job getting what the O-line blocks for him. Speaking of which, the Patriots lost their franchise LT in free agency, and they've barely missed a step. They acquired Trent Brown in a trade with the 49ers and he's been passable there. They did spend another 1st rounder on Isaiah Wynn to play LT (which wasn't a fit for him IMO), but his Achilles blew up. It hasn't seemed to matter as the guard duo is phenomenal and Cannon is a good RT when healthy. David Andrews is a quality center, too. They won't give up much pressure.
On defense, the Patriots have had some ups and downs. They've given up 30+ points to Jacksonville (!!), Chicago, Tennessee, and Kansas City. Only the Chiefs game was at home, though. Their pass rush has been lacking outside of the up-and-coming Trey Flowers, but despite his disruption, he's only netted 3.5 sacks. Adrian Clayborn is a good rotation rusher, and PFF hates Deatrich Wise Jr. despite leading the team with 4.5 sacks. Cousins might have some time to pass. The running game will have some problems with Flowers being a great run defender and the DT rotation, with big stuffers in Shelton, Guy, and Brown, clogging the lanes. The LBs are underwhelming, as Dont'a Hightower isn't what he once was, and Elandon Roberts and Kyle Van Noy are mediocre.
The secondary is quietly good, but I believe they've been hurt by a lack of pass rush. The McCourty brothers are both great cover-ers at both the CB and S positions. Stephon Gilmore is a legitimate shutdown CB who will likely be placed on Stefon Diggs, which could be troubling. The Patriots will use 3 safety formations a whole bunch too, getting Duron Harmon in on at least half of the plays. This is a good defense, but keeping them on the field long enough with momentum shifting in the Vikings direction will tire them out quickly.
My Prediction: Patriots 23, Vikings 21
The Vikings should be able to put up a good fight, but Belichick is probably the best coach in the NFL [ever] and the Patriots rarely lose at home. I can't pick against the reigning AFC champs when the Vikings haven't beat good teams and haven't played well on the road.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.