In the New England Patriots 24-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, these three players stood out in the team’s most impressive win of the season.
Sunday’s 24-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings was the most impressive victory this season for the New England Patriots overall.
They always look good at home, but the way they handled the Vikings in the big early December showdown was simply a statement. Both the offense and defense set the tone early, sustained the play throughout the game and finished off Minnesota in the fourth quarter when the game was still in doubt.
Tom Brady, who threw for over 300 yards and a touchdown, had a good game passing and also scrambled for a couple yards on a big third-down conversion.
The only concern in the game was the way Rob Gronkowski looked. The big tight end simply didn’t look like his usual self and it could be a sign that we’ve seen the last of the dominant nature of Gronk. That doesn’t mean he can’t still be effective when he is on the field.
Despite that, the Patriots’ offense continues to prove they can move the ball in different ways and don’t have to depend on Gronkowski. Now that the defense is showing signs of playing as a cohesive unit, the Patriots just may be primed to take off in the month of December and into the playoffs.
In approving to 9-3 on the season, here are three players who deserve game balls for the total team effort.
Josh Gordon
Silent during the first half of the game, New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon picked the right time to flash.
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After the Minnesota Vikings tied the game at 10-10, the Patriots’ offense immediately countered on their next drive primarily on the Tom Brady to Josh Gordon connection. It was his only offensive production of the game, but delivering and being patient in a meaningful December game shows how much comfort Gordon has playing for the Patriots
With three meaningful catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, Josh Gordon found a way to impact the game even on an otherwise quiet day for him offensively. On that third quarter go-ahead drive he started it with a nice play in which he broke a tackle to get yardage after the catch. He then drew a pass inference call. That led to a 24-yard touchdown reception from Brady.
Humbled, Gordon said after the game that he trusts the gameplan the team puts in place and knows the team trusts him. That’s why he was able to stay mentally prepared in the game and was finally able to get involved with the game on the line.
"“It was great,” Gordon said when asked about his third quarter contribution. “You know, I just had to be patient. I think that’s just how the flow of the game was going. We all let it play itself out. It was great to just get an opportunity, make a play and the rest of it was just fun.”"
His 24-yard touchdown reception ended up being the winning score of the game. The numbers weren’t dominating, but it was more how Josh Gordon contributed that made him one of the standouts in the game.
James Develin
Beware! New England Patriots fullback James Develin is a scoring machine.
At least the last couple weeks.
With two rushing touchdowns in Sunday’s 24-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, the big bruising full back has scored a total of three touchdowns the last couple weeks.
As a blue-collar force who typically does all the dirty work to open holes for the likes of Sony Michel and James White, it is nice to see Develin rewarded with scoring opportunity of his own.
Both touchdowns were just short-yardage situations at the goal line, but that is just what fullbacks do. They either block or take the ball themselves. For James Develin, getting an opportunity to get some carries was simply “awesome.”
More importantly, both scores helped the New England Patriots grab an early lead and put the game away late.
"“Honestly, I’ve never dreamed about (scoring touchdowns),” Develin said following the game. “My role is to get the other guys into the end zone. But it’s a cool experience to get in there. I’m thankful to the coaches for having confidence in me and thankful for the offensive line for doing their job.”"
Underrated for what he does on the football field every game, don’t expect Develin to all of a sudden become one of Tom Brady’s weapons, but the team is confident enough to throw a play or two his way.
In all, the two-touchdown performance was key in the team’s victory.
The entire defense
The third game ball goes to the entire New England Patriots defense.
What a game for a team that has struggled for the most part all season long. From the first play of the game when Elandon Roberts popped Dalvin Cook after an incomplete pass to the final play when Jonathan Jones intercepted Kirk Cousins, the Patriots defense set the tone.
There are a few players who stood out, but they had to play together as a whole to limit the Vikings, especially in the air. With a nice pass rush and tight coverage in the secondary, the Patriots held the Vikings to just 10 points and did it in a dominating fashion.
One of the players who had a good game was linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Following the game, he credited the play of the secondary for the team’s overall success defensively.
"“To me, I think we have some of the best secondary players in the league,” Van Noy said, via WEEI. “They don’t get noticed enough. I feel like it is led by [Devin] McCourty, [Patrick] Chung and then you’ve got one of the best corners in the league right now, or if not the best in my opinion, because Steph [Stephon Gilmore] is playing really good football for us right now.”"
With a couple sacks, consistent quarterback pressure and two interceptions, the New England Patriots defense came to play Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. They just have to learn how to take their act on the road.
They will get their opportunity next Sunday down in South Beach.