New England Patriots links 11/30/18 - Pats-Vikes matchups: Winning at the line of scrimmage is key

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Vikings Thursday Injury Report.
• Broadcast Info: Vikings at Patriots.
• Andy Hart’s Keys to the Starting Lineup: Matching Minnesota’s weapons.
• Paul Perillo scouts the matchups: Vikings defense will test the Pats.
• Erik Scalavino shares the news, notes and locker-room buzz from Thursday at Gillette: Burkhead anxious to play again.
• Press Conference transcript: Devin McCourty.
• What They’re Saying: Minnesota Vikings.
• Press Pass: Rex Burkhead (6.39 min. video) - Josh Gordon (1.29 min. video).
• Coffee with the Coach: On the win over Jets and Vikings preps. (2.58 min. video)
• All Access One-on-One: David Andrews. (2.45 min. video)
• Memorable Moments: Bledsoe’s record day defeats Vikings (1.26 min. video)
• Don Banks makes his Week 13 NFL picks. The Vikings will hang around, but they won’t out-last the Patriots. Winner: New England.

LOCAL LINKS

• Evan Lazar’s Patriots Gameplan: How will New England defend Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs?
• Michael Hurley tells us what to watch for on Sunday: 1. What’s separated the Patriot’s good defensive days from their bad days has in many instances simply come down to the quarterback making or not making his throws.
• Matt Dolloff isn’t buying the idea that Tom Brady will be completely stymied by the Vikings red zone defense.
• Thomas Murphy (DiehardBostonSportsFans) Monster Keys to Patriots vs Vikings: Mix and control tempo.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots-Vikings Week 13 key matchups: Who has the razor’s edge?
• Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Patriots Gameplan: Week 13 vs. Minnesota.
• David Latham (LastWordOnSports) New England vs Minnesota bold predictions: 1. Rex Burkhead gets two touchdowns.
• Staff (AP) What you need to know about the Patriots-Vikings matchup: Patriots have won the past four meetings.
• Nick O’Malley gives us his Pats-Vikes anti-analysis: Remember that time Drew Bledsoe threw 70 passes in a game?
• Tom Keegan insists the Patriots can’t afford to take the Vikings lightly. /Why would this even be an issue?
• Nora Princiotti reports the Patriots had perfect attendance at Thursday’s practice, with Dwayne Allen back for the first time since he injured his knee.
• Doug Kyed points out Rob Gronkowski is back on the injury report (ankle, back).
• Ryan Hannable makes a solid case that Tom Brady is playing closer to his 2017 MVP level than you think.
• Kevin Duffy talks about how Rex Burkhead’s unique skill set will boost the Patriots offense.
• Mike Reiss hears from Josh Gordon, for whom playing in meaningful December games is all new.
• Mike Reiss shares the story from Sony Michel how he is inspired by his mother’s sacrifice and journey from Haiti.
• Rich Thompson mentions Brian Hoyer’s family bond with Kirk Cousins.
• Ryan Hannable hears from Tom Brady on why he switched back to his old helmet.
• CBS Boston notes Tom Brady reached out to the Pats fan who saved his Brady jersey while evacuating from the California fires.
• Nicole Yang takes a look at some of the best stories told at ‘The Tradition’ in 2018. Honoree Deion Branch offers a glimpse into watching film with Bill Belichick.
• Doug Kyed addresses his Patriots Mailbag: What happens to free-agent-to-be Trey Flowers in the offseason?
• Ryan Hannable explains why Josh McDaniels won’t leave the Patriots after this season.
• Alex Reimer finds joy in Ben Roethlisberger imploding.
• Evan Lazar posts his Vikings vs. Patriots Preview Podcast: Breaking down the key matchups with The Athletic Minnesota’s Arif Hasan. (36.35 min.)
• Jim Lazar says it’s cool to be back at Gillette even if it’s only for a one-game home stand, and makes his Week 13 picks. Patriots win 32-22.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Cameron Filipe (Football Zebras) Week 13 referee assignments. Patriots-Vikings: Craig Wrolstad.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Stefon Diggs out of practice again, says he’s playing Sunday.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Josh Gordon finds it different and exciting to play meaningful late season games.
• Conor Orr (SI) Morning Huddle: Front-runners to win Coach of the Year. Belichick in Tier 3.
• Michael Colangelo (TouchdownWire) NFL Coach of the Year race may be the most closely contested award. “Belichick can’t win Coach of the Year because there’s an unwritten rule about giving the award to a coach who has been consistently great.”
• Bill Barnell (ESPN) The best and worst teams in the history of all 32 NFL franchises. Regular season only: Patriots best: 2007 (16-0), worst: 1990 (1-15).
• Kalyn Kahler (SI) How it all went wrong in Packerland. /Hmm... Alpha-male tension between Rodgers and McCarthy? No fun in the locker room? Interesting.
• MMQB Staff (SI) NFL Week 13 Picks. 5 of 7 pick Patriots to win.
• Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) NFL Week 13 game picks: Pats top Vikes 34-30.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) PFT’s Week 13 picks. Florio picks Patriots 31-20; MDS picks Patriots 24-21.
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Week 13 odds, picks. Patriots 30-23.
• Nate Davis (USA Today) Week 13 NFL picks. All 5 pick Pats to win.