When the Pats had the ball

It was evident after last week's game in Buffalo that New England's passing game was finally starting to click. The Patriots capitalized on that last night as quarterback Tom Brady completed 17 of 25 passes for an astonishing 257 first-half yards -- the most by any QB in a half this season. He connected with eight different receivers -- Doug Gabriel, Ben Watson, Reche Caldwell, Laurence Maroney, David Thomas, Keith Faulk, Troy Brown and Jabar Gaffney. The impressive thing about the Pats' first half was the fact the passing game was so effective. Minnesota has the ability to stop an opponents' running game, so coach Bill Belichick decided it was best to go to the air. Smart decision.

Brady added 115 yards and two touchdowns in the second half to finish with 372 total yards for his second-highest total of his career. Overall he connected with 10 receivers. When Heath Evans leads all backs with 35 yards rushing, it's obvious the passing game produced.

When the Vikings had the ball

New England's defense kept the pressure on Minnesota Brad Johnson all game and had the quarterback shaking his head. He tossed three interceptions and now has seven on the season. Minnesota entered the game as one of the top teams in the league to force opponents off the field on 3-and-out possessions. In the first half last night, it was the Patriots who dominated in that category.

Special teams

Special teams were almost an afterthought in the first half. The Patriots' Josh Miller needed to punt only once, for 46 yards, while the Vikings' Chris Kluwe kicked just twice in the first 30 minutes. New England rookie place-kicker Stephen Gostkowski converted a 23-yard field goal to give the Pats a 10-0 lead in the second quarter.

The third quarter was a little different for both teams. After the Pats went 3-and-out on their first series of the second half, the Vikings' Mewelde Moore returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown.

But the Patriots' Maroney almost matched that on the ensuing kickoff, racing 77 yards to set up Troy Brown's touchdown catch.

Coaching

Vikings coach Brad Childress wanted his team to start quickly, but it was Bill Belichick's squad that scored first, needing just seven plays and 3:53 to take the lead. From that point, Belichick and the Patriots kept the ball in the air. They called on the running game only five times in the first half.

Intangibles

Playing the Metrodome should have been an advantage for the home team, but the Pats took the Vikings, and their fans, out of the game very early. . . . There weren't too many penalties in the first half, but the three against Minnesota proved crucial. . . . Minnesota has had difficulties in the red zone this season and that continued last night. . . . Last night was the first time this season Minnesota didn't score first.

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340