Each week, BringMeTheNews will analyze the Vikings’ upcoming game from both sides, and give you “5 key reasons the Vikings will win.” This week they host the New England Patriots, who are coming off a division road loss to Miami in Week 1.
For 5 key reasons the Vikings should be worried, click here.
5. Zimmer has had success against New England before
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has had some success against the Patriots during his time in Cincinnati. Zimmer was 1-1 against the Patriots while he was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator.
In 2013, Zimmer’s Bengals defense snapped Brady’s streak of 52-straight games with a touchdown pass.
Pro Football Talk notes Zimmer downplayed it though in his press conference on Wednesday.
“You know it was a different team, different situation. It rained like crazy the last minute of the ball game. It’s completely different. Obviously you look at the tape but you don’t think that everything is going to be the same.”
4. Ground War – A-P could have a big week
The Patriots gave up 191 yards on the ground to Miami last week, including 134 to Dolphins running back Knowshon Moreno. If Moreno can do that kind of damage to the Patriots defense what can the Vikings do with Adrian Peterson?
Expect the Vikings to feature Peterson early to see if there are big chunks of yardage to be had on the ground.
3. Vikings defense was outstanding in opening test against St. Louis
The Vikings defense was outstanding in their season-opener last week against the Rams. The Vikings intercepted two passes, including one that Harrison Smith returned 80-yards for a touchdown, had five sacks and didn’t give up a touchdown.
Entering week 2, the #Vikings are the ONLY team in the @NFL to not allow a TD. pic.twitter.com/vzdcaTYNob
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 10, 2014
Hopefully that kind of defensive effort can carry over to New England and make Tom Brady’s day miserable.
2. Cassel may have some extra motivation
It was the season opener of the 2008 season when a little-known backup named Matt Cassel replaced Brady as the Patriots quarterback, after he suffered a season ending knee injury.
Cassel won 10 games as a starter for the Patriots and threw for more than 3,600 yards and 21 touchdowns. In the offseason, he was dealt to Kansas City where he spent four seasons as the Chiefs starter.
Cassel, now the Vikings’ starter, told reporters he is excited for his first opportunity to face the Patriots.
1. Vikings clearly have more offensive weaponry
No one is denying that Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski are special weapons for the New England Patriots, but the supporting cast around the two mainstays of the New England offense isn’t what it used to be.
The Vikings meanwhile are becoming one of the most explosive teams in football. The focus is no longer just on Adrian Peterson, but Cordarrelle Patterson as well, who showed his maturity as a playmaker last week.
But along with the two superstars, the Vikings also have their own Pro Bowl tight end in Kyle Rudolph, along with wide receiver Greg Jennings, as additional playmakers.
There’s no question the Vikings have a vastly superior supporting cast.
Too positive for you? Then here are “5 key reasons the Vikings should be worried about the New England Patriots.”
