Favre's going long, too, on Minnesota's next play from scrimmage. But left cornerback Devin McCourty matches strides with Harvin, who has to break up what would have been a pick by the New England rookie.
Harvin makes a catch at the New England 49 that brings up a fourth-and-inches. Behind by four points, Childress opts to punt, and Welker tumbles to a fair catch at his 9.
A six-minute drive to close out the third quarter with some points is the goal.
Pats are three-and-out, but on a long incomplete to Branch, Woodhead really picked up the rush with a superb block.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Pats on top 14-10
This is the kind of smart improvisation needed as Brady and Tate combine for a 65-yard touchdown.
Brady bought some time in the pocket, was flushed to his left, then spun around as Tate, having stopped on the left sideline, went down the line. Brady spotted him just before getting hit and hit Tate in stride on the Vikings' 40. Tate then showed his speed in cutting to the middle of the field and leaving Minnesota's secondary behind him.
It couldn't have come at a better time for a New England offense that hadn't done much until this explosion.
Brady bought some time in the pocket, was flushed to his left, then spun around as Tate, having stopped on the left sideline, went down the line. Brady spotted him just before getting hit and hit Tate in stride on the Vikings' 40. Tate then showed his speed in cutting to the middle of the field and leaving Minnesota's secondary behind him.
It couldn't have come at a better time for a New England offense that hadn't done much until this explosion.
Vikings lead 10-7
Vikings end of first series of second half with a 24-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell - isn't that a great name for a kicker? - whose short kick is well done, putting Patriots down 10-7.
What's disturbing for New England fans is Favre in directing that 11-play, 68-yard march is under little pressure.
What's disturbing for New England fans is Favre in directing that 11-play, 68-yard march is under little pressure.
Pats, Vikings in 7-7 standoff at halftime
Questionable to return, huh? Harvin grabs a short pass and goes for 15 yards to the Pats' 45. But NE stiffens and Vikings punt, putting the Patriots on their 7-yard line midway through the second quarter.
New England secondary, especially right cornerback Kyle Arrington, is keeping Moss in check. So far.
Pats are three-and-out and Vikings soon start from their 43.
Harvin underneath, thanks to a vertical clearout by Moss, goes for 19 yards to the New England 39 - shades of Moss with Wes Welker not too long ago.
Harvin goes for another gain - nine yards - underneath as Favre is picking up good chunks of short yardage in getting Vikes to the 16.
Now it's first-and-10 from the 10.
And now fourth-and-1. And Vikings coach Brad Childress gambles and goes for it. Against four NE down linemen: Brandon Deaderick (305 pounds), Vince Wilfork (324), Myron Pryor (310) and Ron Brace (330).
Peterson, arguably the best running back in the NFL, gets a handoff deep as the Pats line slides to the left. Peterson in the late-developing play gets stuffed for a loss of two yards with, what, less than a minute remaining in the half?
Thus, Pats escape with a 7-7 standoff at halftime.
Think they're second-guessing Childress in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? Sakes alive! You're on the road. Kick the field goal for a 10-7 halftime lead. It's not like you had any time left in the half to take advantage of your good field position if you had stopped the Pats on downs.
New England secondary, especially right cornerback Kyle Arrington, is keeping Moss in check. So far.
Pats are three-and-out and Vikings soon start from their 43.
Harvin underneath, thanks to a vertical clearout by Moss, goes for 19 yards to the New England 39 - shades of Moss with Wes Welker not too long ago.
Harvin goes for another gain - nine yards - underneath as Favre is picking up good chunks of short yardage in getting Vikes to the 16.
Now it's first-and-10 from the 10.
And now fourth-and-1. And Vikings coach Brad Childress gambles and goes for it. Against four NE down linemen: Brandon Deaderick (305 pounds), Vince Wilfork (324), Myron Pryor (310) and Ron Brace (330).
Peterson, arguably the best running back in the NFL, gets a handoff deep as the Pats line slides to the left. Peterson in the late-developing play gets stuffed for a loss of two yards with, what, less than a minute remaining in the half?
Thus, Pats escape with a 7-7 standoff at halftime.
Think they're second-guessing Childress in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? Sakes alive! You're on the road. Kick the field goal for a 10-7 halftime lead. It's not like you had any time left in the half to take advantage of your good field position if you had stopped the Pats on downs.
Patriots pull even at 7-7
Here's your treat, New England. Well, maybe, since Minnesota is challenging a gain of 33 yards to the Minnesota 10 from Tom Brady to Brandon Tate - courtesy of the ball going through the hands of Vikings free safety Madieu Williams. The play stands.
On the previous play, Brady hooked up with Deion Branch on the right sideline for a big gain - but couldn't it have been bigger if Branch had lowered his shoulder and stayed in bounds instead of offering an olive branch to the Minnesota secondary?
No matter. Danny Woodhead takes a direct snap as Brady does an acting job leaping and muscles three yards for the tying touchdown.
Since the nickname "Ironhead" is taken, what's a good tag for this 5-foot-7-3/4 dynamo?
On the previous play, Brady hooked up with Deion Branch on the right sideline for a big gain - but couldn't it have been bigger if Branch had lowered his shoulder and stayed in bounds instead of offering an olive branch to the Minnesota secondary?
No matter. Danny Woodhead takes a direct snap as Brady does an acting job leaping and muscles three yards for the tying touchdown.
Since the nickname "Ironhead" is taken, what's a good tag for this 5-foot-7-3/4 dynamo?
Harvin hurt, but Vikings drive to a 7-0 lead
Minnesota wide receiver Percy Harvin jams his left ankle after a 21-yard reception and is helped off the field. But Peterson gets big yardage and a roughing-the-passer gives Vikings a first down at the Patriots' 6-yard line.
Peterson gashes the interior for five yards as the first period comes to a close.
Harvin's return is questionable - ditto for Peterson's dive for a 1-yard touchdown, which New England challenges. The ruling on the field stands. No treat for New England fans. 7-0 Minnesota.
Peterson gashes the interior for five yards as the first period comes to a close.
Harvin's return is questionable - ditto for Peterson's dive for a 1-yard touchdown, which New England challenges. The ruling on the field stands. No treat for New England fans. 7-0 Minnesota.
Pats, Vikngs gain little on their first series
Happy Halloween from Gillette Stadium. Not as many weird costumes as I expected. Maybe many of the fans spent Saturday night trick or treating here in Foxborough, Foxboro, as the special night was pushed up so as not to coincide with the really scary celebrants: Patriot fans today.
Speaking of scary, Pats are 2-5 in games played on Halloween, but the first time they've been at home - their throwback uniforms.
The first New England series doesn't go far, but a 51-yard punt pins the Vikings on their 11.
Guess who comes out under center. The boos tell you. Brett Favre. And especially for Randy Moss.
Adrian Peterson gets stuffed for no gain on a third-and-one, thus Minnesota's turn to punt.
Speaking of scary, Pats are 2-5 in games played on Halloween, but the first time they've been at home - their throwback uniforms.
The first New England series doesn't go far, but a 51-yard punt pins the Vikings on their 11.
Guess who comes out under center. The boos tell you. Brett Favre. And especially for Randy Moss.
Adrian Peterson gets stuffed for no gain on a third-and-one, thus Minnesota's turn to punt.
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