INSIDE SLANT

NFL Team Report - New England Patriots</h2><br>Patriots face challenge against talented Vikings<p></p> Around New England, fans have become jaded. The Patriots are 8-3 and only three teams have a better record than them yet the sky is falling because the Patriots did not dominate the New York Jets more on Sunday in their 27-13 win. The Patriots, though, play a team on Sunday in the Minnesota Vikings that is fighting for their playoff lives. The Vikings are 6-4-1 and have had a tough schedule this year. They have faced New Orleans, Los Angeles Rams (on the road), Philadelphia (on the road) and they lost to Buffalo early in the season. Head coach Bill Belichick lauded the mental toughness of the Vikings who have never given up despite some tough losses.<p></p> The Vikings, a Super Bowl pick of many, face the Patriots this week on the road and go to Seattle so the Vikings must be motivated or they will be playing golf in January. The Patriots are 5-0 at home this season and should be the favorite on Sunday. Their offense is as healthy as it has been all year with guard Shaq Mason and tight end Rob Gronkowski (who is officially off the injury report) returning last week against the Jets. With Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel healthy, the Patriots now have a strong running attack, although Burkhead is used mostly as a receiver. The Patriots must start strong because the Vikings will look to quiet the Gillette Stadium crowd with an offense that played well in a win over the Green Bay Packers last week. If the Patriots running game can be effective, it could be a long day for the Vikings as their linebackers will likely fall for the play-action fakes of Tom Brady.<p></p> SERIES HISTORY: 13th regular-season meeting. Patriots lead series, 8-4. The Patriots have won the last four meetings. The teams have never met in the playoffs. The Vikings last beat the Patriots at old Foxboro Stadium in 2000 in Bill Belichick's first season as head coach. That loss made the Patriots 0-3. 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