Pre-Game Thread- Pats @ Vikings-Thanksgiving Game

[PatsFanInVa]

Hopefully, its never too late to find our identity as long as we mathematically control our destiny for a playoff spot. In 2018 we didn’t find our true identity until the 2nd to the last regular season game. Though right now this ol or qb is nowhere near that one. But there’s always a chance we get stuff sorted out to become an all around threat.

This team has an identity. They will find a way to win. Last week a return TD, some weeks defensive heroics, and often a good sound trampling by a two+ headed running attack. So far, they've alll gotten only spot help from the passing game -- that can clearly improve. I mean, what do we need, a funny hat? A catchline? That's who we are.

God I hate hearing about how we need to find our identity. Let's call off the season and go to a retreat in Cali and do trust falls and rope courses. F that. It is what it is. I hope weak spots improve, but I know that the noise we make will be defense, running, and ST... until and unless the pass game improves.

 

[SVN]

short week anything can happen type game. i dont like its on the road in front of the raucous crowd on thanksgiving and that stadium doesnt have good memories for pats

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

This team has an identity. They will find a way to win. Last week a return TD, some weeks defensive heroics, and often a good sound trampling by a two+ headed running attack. So far, they've alll gotten only spot help from the passing game -- that can clearly improve. I mean, what do we need, a funny hat? A catchline? That's who we are.

God I hate hearing about how we need to find our identity. Let's call off the season and go to a retreat in Cali and do trust falls and rope courses. F that. It is what it is. I hope weak spots improve, but I know that the noise we make will be defense, running, and ST... until and unless the pass game improves.

The offense is clearly a work in progress. New oc , new system, the qb missed 4 games in the middle of the season to date, we havent had any continuity on the ol due to injuries and/or poor play. Things take time to fully click sometimes and im hoping we are just taking a bit longer to find our answers vs things being completely hopeless on the offensive end. Sorry that post made you so upset…

 

[PatsFanInVa]

The offense is clearly a work in progress. New oc , new system, the qb missed 4 games in the middle of the season to date, we havent had any continuity on the ol due to injuries and/or poor play. Things take time to fully click sometimes and im hoping we are just taking a bit longer to find our answers vs things being completely hopeless on the offensive end. Sorry that post made you so upset…

It's cumulative, I'm turning into an old crank in my old age. The flavor of the day is now "but whats our identity oh my god we need to know our identity." It's always something. Not your fault

 

[Ross12]

I saw the team cut JJ Taylor and brought back Vizcaino on the PS. Not sure what they intend to do with the open roster spot. Perhaps they’re waiting to see if JJ clears waivers and if so, they put him back on the PS and move Vizcaino or someone else to the 53. Maybe they want a second kicker for kickoffs in the short term? Not sure if Vizcaino does them.

Edit: looks like he does do kickoffs based on this article

Patriots reportedly re-sign kicker Tristan Vizcaino to practice squad following stint with Cardinals

www.patspulpit.com

 

[State]

Miami basically looked at our videotape against the Bills and said, "The Patriots LBs can't cover," so they just ran Tyreek underneath over and over again knowing we needed 2 on Waddle. It's the formula against the Patriots D. Take advantage of Tavai and Bentley.

Don’t play Tavai. Play Mack.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Uptown]

 

[PScottman]

Huh?

On a short week this late in the season it's totally prudent to play a vet who knows the system and the calls than a rookie who has zero snaps of NFL experience.

The opportunity to malign the coaching staff as making all decisions based on relationships is much more important to some than actual discussion of football apparently.

 

[Salsalife]

Indoor stadium, no wind, no cold, good track field. We in trouble...

 

[ashley]

Getting everyone ready for a Tuesday:

 

[Patsfan1958]

From Patriots.com:


Game Preview: Patriots at Vikings

2022 REGULAR SEASON	NEW ENGLAND	MINNESOTA
Record	6-4	8-2
Divisional Standings	3rd	1st
Total Yards Gained	3,176	3,385
Total Offense (Rank)	317.6 (25)	338.5 (18)
Rush Offense	115.4 (17)	103.6 (24)
Pass Offense	202.0 (24)	234.9 (10)
Points Per Game	21.3 (20)	22.9 (13)
Total Yards Allowed	3,028	3,889
Total Defense (Rank)	302.8 (4)	388.9 (29)
Rush Defense	114.5 (13)	121.6 (18)
Pass Defense	188.3 (4)	267.3 (31)
Points Allowed/Game	16.9 (2)	23.1 (19)
Possession Avg.	31:00	28:40
Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost	28/182	27/199
Sacks Made/Yards	36/233	26/171
Total Touchdowns Scored	22	27
Penalties Against/Yards	60/473	54/436
Punts/Avg.	44/42.6	48/46.8
Turnover Differential	0 (16T)	+7 (3T)
Punts/Avg.	44/42.6	48/46.8

 

[gitgronked82]

Is this a guy that knows anything?

 

[jah]

I saw the team cut JJ Taylor and brought back Vizcaino on the PS. Not sure what they intend to do with the open roster spot. Perhaps they’re waiting to see if JJ clears waivers and if so, they put him back on the PS and move Vizcaino or someone else to the 53. Maybe they want a second kicker for kickoffs in the short term? Not sure if Vizcaino does them.

Edit: looks like he does do kickoffs based on this article

Patriots reportedly re-sign kicker Tristan Vizcaino to practice squad following stint with Cardinals

www.patspulpit.com

The real intrigue with Vizcaino is what jersey number he gets, because literally everything 1-19 is taken (except 12) and it's against NFL rules for players who have played in a regular season game to switch jersey numbers midseason.

 

[State]

If the Patriots TEs can’t be unleashed this game, then the OC needs a stern talking to.

 

[State]

Indoor stadium, no wind, no cold, good track field. We in trouble...

No. Only with Jefferson. Isn’t he one of the best WRs in the entire League right now?

 

[State]

Why we lose this game. Two names. Myles Bryant and Justin Jefferson.

 

[State]

The Patriots are facing a legit QB in Kirk Cousins.

He’s like the music group Nickleback. Everyone bad mouths them, but they’re actually pretty good. Severely underrated.

 

[slash83]

Why we lose this game. Two names. Myles Bryant and Justin Jefferson.

I highly doubt Bryant lines up over Jefferson. And let’s say he even does, you don’t think Belichick is smart enough to double him if for whatever reason Bryant gets assigned to him?

 

[JMC00]

From Patriots.com:


Game Preview: Patriots at Vikings

2022 REGULAR SEASON	NEW ENGLAND	MINNESOTA
Record	6-4	8-2
Divisional Standings	3rd	1st
Total Yards Gained	3,176	3,385
Total Offense (Rank)	317.6 (25)	338.5 (18)
Rush Offense	115.4 (17)	103.6 (24)
Pass Offense	202.0 (24)	234.9 (10)
Points Per Game	21.3 (20)	22.9 (13)
Total Yards Allowed	3,028	3,889
Total Defense (Rank)	302.8 (4)	388.9 (29)
Rush Defense	114.5 (13)	121.6 (18)
Pass Defense	188.3 (4)	267.3 (31)
Points Allowed/Game	16.9 (2)	23.1 (19)
Possession Avg.	31:00	28:40
Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost	28/182	27/199
Sacks Made/Yards	36/233	26/171
Total Touchdowns Scored	22	27
Penalties Against/Yards	60/473	54/436
Punts/Avg.	44/42.6	48/46.8
Turnover Differential	0 (16T)	+7 (3T)
Punts/Avg.	44/42.6	48/46.8

With way some people were talking you'd think the Vikings would be more than 7 ranks better than the Pats offense in yards and points. only 5 TD scored difference between the 2