In the business of football predictions, in-season trade ramifications are incredibly hard to forecast. More so than other sports, football is built on precision and rhythm amongst 11 players, and incorporating new players mid-season is a difficult undertaking. As such, one
football predictions must be mindful that chemistry often trumps pure talent.
When the Minnesota Vikings visit the New England Patriots this Sunday, fans will learn first-hand how in-season trades can affect a team. About 3 weeks ago, the Vikings traded a 3rd round pick to New England to bring the considerable talents of Randy Moss north to Minnesota. On paper, the deal was perfect for Minnesota and a head-scratcher for New England; the Vikings were desperate for a #1 receiver as Sidney Rice recovered from hip surgery, while New England seemingly needed Moss"s big-time playmaking deep threat. But a funny thing happened: the trade re-established NE"s blue collar, smash mouth attitude, while only providing superficial cover to what remains Minnesota"s biggest question mark, quarterback Brett Favre.
The Patriots come into this game riding high on the classic Bill Belichick blueprint for success: ball control offense and a bend-but-don"t-break defense which keeps the game close until one or two big Patriot plays close out the game in the 4th quarter. Behind Tom Brady, the Patriots are methodical on offense, using short passes to control the time of possession and make up for the lack of a true running threat. When they"re not dumping and dinking to the incomparable Wes Welker and the newly re-acquired Deion Branch, two of the best possession receivers in all of football, they"re hitting the seams for one of the best tight end duos in the league, rookies Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.. With Minnesota"s depleted secondary and inability to sack the quarterback, Tom Brady should be more than able to pick and choose his way up and down the field.
The Vikings, coming off a heartbreaking Sunday night loss to the Packers, are a team on the brink. When head coach Brad Childress wasn"t blaming the officials for his latest loss, he was questioning in a very public way whether Brett Favre was trying to do too much. And when Brett Favre isn"t talking about his injuries, from the surgically repaired ankle he reinjured against Green Bay to the elbow tendonitis that required a cortisone shot last week, he"s trying to sidestep questions about how his sexting scandal is playing out. The Vikings simply have too much drama, and no real leader.
Super Prediction:
Minnesota would be best served to sit Brett Favre down this week and give backup QB Tavaris Jackson a shot at bringing some life into Minnesota"s sorry season. New England"s coaching staff game plans better than any team in the league, and making them throw out their entire gameplan to face Jackson would give Minnesota a lift to start the game. With all the Viking weapons, if Tavaris Jackson is smart with the ball, and uses his legs to get timely first down, that might be enough. Plus, it would give Favre time to rest and get healthy. Sadly, this option is off the table as the old proud warrior is too cool to let his coach tell him what to do. As such, look for the Patriots to break open this game early, putting pressure on Favre and forcing early mistakes and turnovers. With Minnesota"s inability to get pressure on the quarterback and their thin secondary, Tom Brady should be at ease in the pocket and will dink and dump with impunity. Expect the time of possession to be heavily in New England"s favor, and while Minnesota"s defense has been good at creating turnovers and limiting the damage from Favre"s miscues, it won"t be enough. Patriots win: 31-10.
