Vikings slice up the Patriots
The Minnesota Vikings were on fire as they burned the New England Patriots, 37-14, Sunday in the Metrodome.
The Vikings were without their two top running backs, Robert Smith & Leroy Hoard, so the offensive responsibility fell on QB Brad Johnson, and he delivered. He threw for 308 yards on 20 of 28 passing with 3 TDs. That equates to a 143.2 QB Rating.
The Vikings jumped out early as Johnson hit TE Andrew Glover for a 37-yard TD pass. Then later in the 1st quarter, Johnson connected with Jake Reed on a 12-yard touchdown. After a Moe Williams TD run, Johnson hit Reed again for a 6-yard touchdown and the Vikings took a 31-0 lead at halftime and this game was over. Reed caught 7 passes for 117 yards and the 2 TDs.
The Patriots have been hammered by the NFC Central the past two weeks. The Packers beat the Patriots 27-3 last Monday Night and have been outscored 64-17 the past two Sundays. For a team that was in last year’s Super Bowl, the Patriots’ season seems on the brink.
Patriot QB Drew Bledsoe threw for 232 yards and 2 TDs but was also picked off. The Patriots only managed 57 yards on the ground and Bledsoe was sacked 4 times.
The Vikings (4-5) will try to keep their momentum going as they host the lowly Bears, while the Patriots (6-3) travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills. Despite the two devastating losses, the Patriots are still atop the AFC East with the NY Jets.