The Patriots are back at home hosting the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. on FOX. Like the Patriots, Minnesota has a fiery leader under center in Cousins, a deep threat receiver in Diggs, a 5-star athlete to say the least breaking Randy Moss’s records in Thielen, and a run by committee attack in Murray and Cook. When you look at these two offenses, they can be compared in many different ways.
I have said it before, and yes I am saying it again right now: these are two teams still trying to find their identities. Both have so much potential and have not exactly “clicked” yet. Brady stressed the importance of post-Thanksgiving football in his recent radio interviews, so as both of these teams are coming off of division wins, we will see what December has in store. Here are three stats to look for Sunday:
- 27%
Minnesota’s opponents have converted just 27 percent of third downs this season. The Patriots have struggled this year on the money down converting just 39 percent of the time. If they want to beat a hungry team like the Vikings you need to extend drives and keep moving the chains.
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2) 58-11
‘Tis the season for Brady’s winningest month of the regular season. The man known for his strong finishes, cold weather success, and obviously being the clutchest athlete of all time has only lost in December 11 times in his career. So the hap-happiest season of all containing one of the toughest stretches of the season as they travel to Miami and Pittsburgh after this week is the Pats’ time to shine.
3) 71.1%
Kirk Cousins, who was praised by Belichick this week, is completing 71.1 percent of his passes. He faces the third most QB pressures and yes he has some weapons most quarterbacks can only dream of, but he is making the absolute most of the subpar performance of his O-line. They currently hold the top wild card spot in the NFC at 6-4-1 but have a lot of competition riding their bumper.
Kickoff at Gillette is at 4:25 p.m. on FOX and 98.5 The Sports Hub
-Johnny Maffei is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage Sports Media and covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @johnnyBSBL4