Musket Fire
FanSided

Three key matchups to watch as Patriots travel to Minnesota

By Fran Brown

Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Jalen Mills (2) argues with the back judge after being flagged for a penalty against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Jalen Mills (2) argues with the back judge after being flagged for a penalty against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

There’s not much you can say about the Patriots win over the Jets other than it happened. Other than the last 20 seconds, there was not much to write home about. The good news is the Patriots picked up a key win as they enter their toughest stretch of the season starting on a short week. This one might not be as much of a must-win as last week, but a victory over the Vikings on Thanksgiving night could go a long way towards helping the team make the playoffs. However, traveling on a short week to take on the 8-2 Vikings will not be a tough task so here are the three key matchups I’ll be watching.

Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Jalen Mills (2) argues with the back judge after being flagged for a penalty against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Jalen Mills (2) argues with the back judge after being flagged for a penalty against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports /

Key matchups for the Patriots in week twelve

Patriots secondary vs. Justin Jefferson

Any conversation about the Vikings should begin with Justin Jefferson as he is among the best wide receivers in the NFL once again this season. Through 10 games, Jefferson is among the league leaders in receptions (72, fourth), receiving yards (1,093, second), and targets (105, second). By now I’m sure you’ve seen the catch he made against the Bills, but we’ll give it to you again because it was ridiculous.

With new head coach Kevin O’Connell, Jefferson has lined up all over the field: outside, in the slot and even in the backfield so this will be a matchup for just about everyone in the Patriots secondary. I imagine Jalen Mills will be the one to take Jefferson early, but I could see the Patriots giving him the Tyreek Hill treatment and use a safety over the top for help.

Home/Patriots News