Minnesota may have to settle for field goals against New England

Sky Sports Action, 9.25pm Sunday

It has been four years since New England played Minnesota, and although that game ended in a 30-7 drubbing for the Vikings, this one could be much closer.

The Vikings have been inconsistent this year but they showed signs of steadying the ship with their 24-17 victory over the Packers last week, and they have reason to believe they can come out on top in Foxborough.

Receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs are among the best duos in the NFL, and if fully fit they could run riot over a Patriots passing defence ranked 25th in the league. However, both have missed practice time this week with injuries.

Despite New England's 8-3 record, they have only really flexed their muscles against Miami. Defeats to Detroit, Jacksonville and Tennessee are even more concerning considering those sides' struggling in their other games.

Bill Belichick’s team can still find ways to get the job done and though the Vikings should be able to moving the ball into the Patriots' territory, they may have to settle for a field goal on more than one occasion.

Their running game has been stagnant even since the return from injury of Dalvin Cook, and the booming Foxborough crowd could force Mike Zimmer to turn to veteran kicker Dan Bailey to secure some points.

Recommendation
Over 1.5 Minnesota field goals
1pt Evs bet365

The lowdown
Venue Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Surface Artificial
Weather Rain, 13C
Vegas handicap New England -5
Vegas points line 49.5

Team news
Minnesota
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) and cornerback Xavier Rhodes (hamstring) are rated questionable. Wide receiver Adam Thielen (calf) and linebacker Ben Gedeon (concussion) are set to play. Wide receiver Chad Beebe (hamstring) and tight end David Morgan (knee) have been ruled out.

New England
Tight end Dwayne Allen (knee) is out. Tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle) and quarterback Tom Brady (knee) are set to play.

Key stat
New England have conceded two field goals in three of their last four games.

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