It was a close game run by the defenses but the New England Patriots pulled away late to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 24-10.
The Patriots started off on a high note driving down the field and at the one-yard line, the team went old school handing it to the big fullback James Develin for his first touchdown of the season—which probably ticked off a few fantasy football owners.
The Vikings tried to answer but their kicking woes continue as Dan Bailey pulled a kick wide left.
Quarterback Tom Brady finally hit a sought-after milestone running for 1,000 career rushing yards which he accomplished with a five-yard run for a first down.
5-yard gain.
And that means…1,000 career rushing yards!
👏👏👏 TB12!
📺: FOX #GoPats #TB1K https://t.co/jmqvuXbzur— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2018
Head coach Mike Zimmer and the Vikings offense managed the clock well—running it down to 15 seconds before quarterback Kirk Cousins found wide receiver Adam Thielen in the end zone to make the score 10-7 Patriots at the half.
The Patriots had an opportunity to extend their lead to six but, kicker Steven Gostkowski missed his 48-yard field goal to keep the Patriots up by three points in the middle of the third quarter.
Quiet the entire game, Brady looked to Josh Gordon on a 24-yard catch. Later in the same drive, Brady found Gordon once again for a catch going in for the touchdown—his fourth on the season.
At 17-10. the Patriots turned to their fullback once again at the goal line as Develin carried it again for his second touchdown of the game and the season to put the team up 24-10.
In the fourth quarter, the Patriots were able to hold Cousins and the offense to a fourth and inches. Down two touchdowns, the Vikings chose to go for it and at first glance seemed to stop Latavius Murray but were given the first down leading to the second challenge from head coach Bill Belichick. The call stood and the drive continued.
Up 24-10, the rush came after Brady causing an Eric Kendricks interception giving the Vikings new life with less than six minutes to play. Needing two touchdowns, Cousins let it fly in the direction of Aldrick Robinson in the end zone, but cornerback J.C. Jackson tipped into the hands of Duron Harmon putting the nail in the coffin.
Offense
Rex Burkhead: Coming off a stint on injured reserve with a neck injury, Burkhead was involved heavily in the offense whether it be the passing or the running game.
James Develin: The fullback lives! The Brown alum rushed for his first touchdown of the season while also lined up as a pass catcher while also having many great blocks in pushes upfront. Develin earned his second touchdown of the game and the season in the second half.
Cordarrelle Patterson: When wide receiver Josh Gordon came in via trade, Patterson found himself buried on the depth chart only being used for running and gadget plays. But against the team that drafted him in 2013, the former first round selection made plays at his natural position which included a huge catch near midfield.
Cordarrelle wants this revenge game that much 💯 @ceeflashpee84 https://t.co/nHISTb8GEP
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 2, 2018
Josh Gordon: Gordon was silent all the way until the final minutes of the game where the Patriots’ newest weapon caught three passes for 58 yards which included his fourth touchdown of the season.
Defense
Adam Butler: The Vanderbilt alum is proving to be a very versatile athletic defensive tackle getting a huge sack on third down to force the Vikings to kick a 48-yard field goal which Bailey missed.
Trey Flowers: The Patriots defensive end wreaked havoc on a banged up Vikings offensive line recording a sack and causing incompletions with his rushing.
J.C. Jackson: The undrafted rookie out of Maryland was given the starting nod at slot cornerback and looks like a steal this season with near-flawless coverage on the game’s best receivers.
