I would like to thank the Minnesota Vikings for putting the boots to the Arizona Cardinals, with their back-up quarterback, to the tune of 35-14. As if the Cards didn't have reason enough to win this Sunday. They're still jockeying for playoff positioning. Now they are hungry to bounce back from Sunday's butt-kicking.
Nice, just what the Patriots need. A ticked-off Cardinals team coming to Gillette Stadium. That happened a few times this season: A team just off a bad loss plays the Patriots while inspired for redemption. This leads to New England being on the wrong side of the whupping stick:
Week 3 - Miami 38 New England 13
The Patriots were on a high after a upset win over the Jets in week two. The Dolphins, on the other hand, were pummeled by the Cardinals, 31-10. So when Miami rolled into Foxborough, they were intent on putting the 'Zona loss behind them. They did that by unveiling the now infamous "Wildcat" offensive set and shredded N.E.'s defense.
Week 6 - San Diego 30 New England 10
On national tv for all the world to see, in a win more dominant than the final score indicates, the Chargers thrashed the Pats from the opening kickoff. The Bolts needed the win because they had already dropped embarrassing losses to Carolina and Denver in previous weeks, but in week 5 the Chargers offense did practically nothing in Miami and fell to the Dolphins, 17-10. The Chargers weren't going to no-show two weeks in a row.
Week 9 - Indianapolis 18 New England 15
Already 3-4 and behind in the AFC South, Indy couldn't afford to lose more ground. Indianapolis gave up 17 points in the fourth quarter to then-undefeated Tennessee and gave away a valuable divisional win. Indy wouldn't make the same mistake two weeks in a row. Instead the Colts turned the tables by kicking the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter and thwarted two fourth quarter Patriots drives with an interception and a fumble recovery.
Which leads to this upcoming game. 'Zona was pretty much embarrassed by Vikings's passer Tavaris Jackson. Remember he was benched in favor of Gus Ferrotte early this season. But Jackson came off the bench and completed 11-of 17 passes for 163 yards and four touchdowns. Four touchdowns! This from a guy that threw eleven touchdowns against 16 interceptions coming into this season. A second-rate passer carving Arizona's secondary is a slap in the face for the NFC West Champions.
So guess who has a chip on their shoulders as big as boulders? New England has to knock those chips off without getting crushed in the process. Thank you, Minnesota.
