NFL Game Summary - Minnesota at New England
(Sunday, October 31st)
Final Score: New England 28, Minnesota 18
Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed for 112 yards and
two touchdowns, and the New England Patriots knocked out Brett Favre and the
Minnesota Vikings, 28-18.
Favre was able to start the 292nd straight game of his career despite two
broken bones in his left ankle, but took a big hit late in the fourth quarter
from Myron Pryor and was carted off the field sporting ice on his jaw.
"I'll be fine...I don't want to make a big deal out of it. I remember
everything, unfortunately," said Favre, who mentioned his chin was numb after
the game.
Tarvaris Jackson came in and threw a touchdown pass to pull Minnesota within
three, but a lengthy drive, capped by a Green-Ellis TD run, gave the Patriots
(6-1) their fifth straight win.
Tom Brady completed 16-of-27 passes for 240 yards with a touchdown to Brandon
Tate, who logged 101 yards on three receptions in the victory.
Adrian Peterson ended with 92 yards and a score on 25 carries, while Favre was
22-of-32 for 259 and an interception before exiting for the Vikings (2-5), who
are tied with the Lions for last place in the NFC North after their third loss
in four games.
Randy Moss, in his return to Gillette Stadium following the startling trade
from New England to Minnesota earlier this month, was held to one catch for
eight yards.
"It was hard for me to come here and play. It's been an up-and-down roller
coaster for me all week...I miss the hell out of them," said Moss, who also
announced he is not answering questions the rest of the season as a result of
a fine given to him by the NFL for not making himself available to the media
during the week.
New England, holding a 21-10 lead, punted in enemy territory four minutes into
the final stanza, and a pass interference penalty on Brandon Meriweather a
little later gave Minnesota 1st-and-goal at the Patriots nine-yard line.
On third down, Pryor busted through the line and hit Favre up high just as he
threw incomplete. The Pats were whistled for illegal contact to extend the
drive, but Favre was helped to the sideline after the crushing tackle.
Jackson, in his first action of the year, connected with Naufahu Tahi out of
the backfield for a one-yard score with 7:26 to go. Percy Harvin hauled in a
two-point conversion in the left corner of the end zone, making it 21-18.
The Patriots sealed it with a 13-play, 80-yard trek that took 5 1/2 minutes
off the clock. Danny Woodhead's 16-yard catch-and-run on 3rd-and-12 from the
New England 44 highlighted the drive, and Green-Ellis was able to cross the
goal line from two yards on the first play after the two-minute warning.
"I really feel good about that win. I'm really proud of our football team.
Those guys did a great job," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. "But
we've still got a long way to go. We've got a lot of work to do."
The Vikings opened the scoring with a six-minute drive that spanned the first
and second quarters. On the first play of the latter frame, Peterson finished
off a 12-play, 76-yard drive with a one-yard plunge. Replay was used to
determine if the running back crossed that goal line, and the TD was upheld.
The Pats answered on their next drive, as Woodhead went in from three yards
out on a direct snap 4:35 into the second quarter. Madieu Williams nearly had
an interception on the scoring march, but the ball went right through his
hands and into Tate's for a 32-yard gain.
Peterson was stuffed on 4th-and-goal from the one at the end of the half, but
Ryan Longwell gave the hosts the lead again via a 24-yard field goal 5 1/2
minutes into the third quarter.
Shortly thereafter, Brady bought time with his legs and hit Tate in stride
down the left sideline just past midfield. Tate did the rest, going 65 yards
for a 14-10 lead near the eight-minute mark of the third.
After trading punts, Devin McCourty picked off a Favre pass and returned it 37
yards to the Minnesota 37. From the 13, Green-Ellis broke an arm tackle and
went in for a touchdown with 2:25 left in the third.
Game Notes
The Patriots have won 16 consecutive home games against the NFC...The Vikings
sent the Pats an undisclosed draft pick for Moss after the wideout was
held without a reception in New England's Week 4 win over Miami...Harvin
caught six passes for 104 yards...The Patriots play at Cleveland next week,
while the Vikings try to get back on track at home against the Cardinals.
10/31 22:10:37 ET

|