The offenses weren’t exactly on display for either the Minnesota Vikings or New England Patriots in their Week 11 games — at least not in a good way. Minnesota was routed 40-3 by the Dallas Cowboys. And while New England defeated the New York Jets, it did so on the back of its defense and especially, its special teams. The offense was nonexistent.
Knowing that — and that Thursday games often bring out the worst in even the best offenses — it wasn’t unreasonable to expect the Week 12 game between the Patriots and Vikings on Thanksgiving to be a defensive struggle. In the early minutes, though, it was anything but.
Minnesota struck first on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Justin Jefferson.
Step 1: Touchdown.
Step 2: Everybody Griddy. pic.twitter.com/5CmCrNCRzF— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 25, 2022
New England quickly responded, with the official answer coming on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Mac Jones to Nelson Agholor.
Offenses rolling early in Minneapolis.pic.twitter.com/RkWs8pplDE
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 25, 2022
And it’s worth mentioning that these offenses did not get short fields because of turnovers or long returns. The Vikings drove 80 yards in eight plays for their touchdown while the Patriots went 75 yards in six plays for theirs.
So, two offenses that scored a combined zero touchdowns on one day both had long scoring drives in their game against each other only four days later.
Naturally, this caught the attention of football fans.
Vikings defense tonight pic.twitter.com/Pjk3DeEZFw
— Barflaan Tedoe 🇱🇷 (@The_Barftender) November 25, 2022
There were two dimes from Mac Jones on that drive.
Patriots needed just five plays to travel 75 yards. That was impressive.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) November 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/SeawrightSays/status/1595955332685385729
Best throw of the year for Mac Jones splitting the cover-two safeties to Agholor. Where has this guy been? #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) November 25, 2022
Patriots offense pic.twitter.com/cMSg708DoN
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) November 25, 2022
Kirk Cousins hits Justin Jefferson for a 6-yard touchdown.
That was a bad drive for the Patriots defense. Really bad. Not competitive.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) November 25, 2022
The strong starts did not carry into either team’s second possessions, when both the Vikings and Patriots went three-and-out. On Minnesota’s third possession, Cousins was intercepted by Jonathan Jones.
After getting gashed on an opening-drive touchdown, the New England defense seems to be settling in. pic.twitter.com/2MQnWYiKXs
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 25, 2022
And despite Jones returning the ball deep into Minnesota territory, New England could only move the ball one yard and had to settle for a field goal.
Time will tell if the offenses can get their mojo back or if those will simply be outliers.
