New England Patriots vs. Minnesota Vikings: Breaking Down New England's Gameplan

The stat heard around a region this week has been that the New England Patriots have won the Super Bowl the last two times they lost their season opener.

If Bill Belichick and the 53 men on his roster know one thing, it is that the previous statement has no bearing on their future. The Patriots aren't guaranteed the AFC East title. They aren't guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. There are no birthrights in the NFL. 

The only thing that Tom Brady's crew is guaranteed is to get the best their opponents have each and every week. Expect the Minnesota Vikings (1-0) to bring everything they've got as they host New England Sunday afternoon.

Patriots Defense vs. Vikings Offense

The Vikings have this guy named Adrian Peterson, perhaps you've heard of him. This transcendental talent at running back has to be licking his chops after watching Knowshon Moreno and the Miami Dolphins run through the Patriots front seven like they weren't even there.

Whether the Patriots have made the necessary changes on defense remains to be seen. Seeing more 1-gap techniques—which seem to fit the personnel much better—in either a 3-4 or 4-3 formation could help alleviate the problem and contain No. 28 in purple.

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

However, containing one running back may loosen their grip on an even slipperier creature. Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson often motions into the backfield a la Aaron Hernandez back in the day. This can change 11 personnel to 21 personnel in an instant, flipping the balance of power without much chance for the defense to react.

New England will have to be careful with their substitution patterns so as not to get caught too light or too heavy with the ball in Patterson's—or Peterson's—hands.  

Contain both of the top two weapons that Matt Cassel has and you still have to contend with Kyle Rudolph and Greg Jennings. The defense is going to need a much more complete performance Week 2 in order to be successful. Don't count on pressuring the quarterback all too often because the Vikings offensive line gave up just six pressures to the vaunted defensive line of the St. Louis Rams according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Patriots Offense vs. Vikings Defense

Vikings defensive lineman Linval Joseph is a man. He will wreck your house if you don't task multiple men with blocking his path. As the offensive line shuffle continues in front of Brady, expect Joseph to be their focal point as they approach the line.

Safety Harrison Smith had four pressures himself against the Rams. The Patriots need to be able to stretch the field vertically to keep Smith and fellow safety Robert Blanton occupied deep. If Smith is able to wreak havoc on the edge, it will be a long day for Brady.

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Perhaps the one guy on the 53-man roster that can stretch the field vertically is Aaron Dobson, who was inactive in Week 1. If he has been fully integrated into the plans on offense, his presence will be a godsend for the flagging attack.

Another way to help the stagnant passing offense is to hammer the ball on the ground. Keeping the defensive line honest by running the ball is key to giving Brady enough time to effectively distribute the ball. Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen are effective runners if their blockers can open up even the slightest of holes.

Tom Brady doesn't need to throw the ball 56 times. Look for a much more balanced attack against Mike Zimmer's defense. The last time Brady and Zimmer faced off, the Cincinnati Bengals held Brady to six points and snapped his consecutive games with a touchdown pass streak. Become one-dimensional and Zimmer will eat you alive.

What They're Saying

After spending the first part of his career being mentored by Brady, Cassel had this to say about his time in New England, per Ben Goessling of ESPN.com:

"

I remember when I was a young quarterback and we’re out at practice and I forgot a motion, and I still hit the pass, but he got after me pretty good about forgetting the motion. The whole point to why he did it, he said, ‘Look, you can’t be a guy and seen as a leader if you’re making mistakes, simple mistakes, on the field. You can’t be a guy that goes up and tries to get after somebody else if you’re making those mistakes.’ And I thought it was a great point and I’ve carried that with me wherever I’ve gone. 

I think I give all the credit to that, the fact that I was, as a young player, able to come in and learn from one of the best, if not the best over his career. Really, each and every day, watch the process that he went through, how he broke down defense, ask questions. And then for him to be so good to me to actually answer those questions and not blow me off like, ‘Hey, get out of here,' it was huge for my development as a player.

"

While the quarterback is still the same in New England, Cassel might not find the defensive backs as kind this time around.

Tale of the Tape 

Quarterback

While Cassel certainly looked the part in Week 1, Brady looked anything but good. Still, if Brady can clean up some mechanical issues and get some better blocking, he has the better eyes and arm.

Verdict: Patriots

Running Backs

Ridley and Vereen are very good running backs, but Peterson is known as "Purple Jesus" for a reason. His blend of power and speed is a rarity in the world. Add in Patterson's ability here and the choice is clear.

Verdict: Vikings

Wide Receivers

If Dobson is able to play, the depth of the Patriots receivers makes up for the exquisite play-making ability of Patterson. Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola are still tough to cover. Brady just needs to trust both of them to make the play.

Verdict: Push

Tight Ends

Even a hobbled Rob Gronkowski gives the Patriots an advantage here, although Rudolph has the ability to break a game open as well. Tim Wright gives New England the edge here.

Verdict: Patriots

Offensive Line

I would have went the other way if Week 1 hadn't occurred, but these lines couldn't have played much differently. The Vikings looked crisp and calm, while the Patriots were flailing about. Both were playing talented defensive lines, but only one offense kept their cool.

Verdict: Vikings

Defensive Line

If Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich are going to be used like they were in Week 1, I might have to change my mind here. However, Bill Belichick will certainly put them in the best position to succeed against the Vikings. Joseph, Brian Robison and Everson Griffen make for an imposing trio, but Vince Wilfork can't be taken lightly.

Verdict: Push

Linebackers

Anthony Barr and Jamie Collins are two of the brightest young linebackers in the game. Dont'a Hightower and Jerod Mayo, however, have a little more left in the tank than Chad Greenway and Jasper Brinkley.

Verdict: Patriots

Defensive Backs

Darrelle Revis might not have been Rod Woodson plus Deion Sanders in his first game in New England, but he was still very good. Alfonzo Dennard and Logan Ryan are still creating turnovers and Devin McCourty is as solid as ever. The Vikings have a playmaker in Smith, and Josh Robinson is an intriguing young player, but the depth is still developing.

Verdict: Patriots

Special Teams

Blair Walsh and Stephen Gostkowski are two of the more accurate kickers in the league. However, Gostkowski's power will be in focus when he tries to keep Patterson from touching the ball on kickoff returns. He may need to kick it out of the end zone to deter a return. Julian Edelman is a dangerous punt returner, but Patterson's open-field running is sublime.

Verdict: Vikings

Overall: Patriots 4-3-2

On paper, the Patriots have a slight advantage over the Vikings.  However, home-field advantage and momentum even the pre-game score. Week 2 games don't usually give New England fans nerves, but facing an 0-2 start will have that effect.

Wednesday's Injury Report Analysis (via Patriots.com)

Did Not Participate: none

Limited Participation: Rob Gronkowski, Michael Buchanan, Sealver Siliga, Chris Jones, Ryan Wendell

Full Participation: none

Wendell is the only addition to this week's injury list. He suffered a knee injury against the Dolphins in Week 1. On the other sideline, former first-round picks Sharrif Floyd and Xavier Rhodes were non-participants in practice.