This game was supposed to be a challenge for the Patriots. The Vikings have a strong defense, a veteran quarterback, and a decent offense. The week before they hammered the Seahawks to the tune of 31-13. And it was a home game for the Vikings, in one of the noisiest domes in the league. All signs pointed to this being a struggle for the Pats.

Guess again. Rather than try to run against their top-ranked run defense, Belichick and the boys went to the air. And the receiving corps which was so maligned suddenly had life. A lot of life. 372 yards and 4 touchdowns worth. Two of the “no-name” receivers, Gabriel and Caldwell, pulled in over 80 yards each. Four different players caught TD’s and 10 different players caught passes.

It was amazing. The precision, the timing, they were all back. You’d swear these guys had been playing together for years when in fact some of the receivers weren’t…