Opinon: 5 Teams That Cannot Afford To Lose In Week Two
By Daniel
Sep 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) hits New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
3. New England Patriots
The Patriots began the year with the most disappointing game they could have. They blew a 20-10 lead to the Miami Dolphins in week one. Tom Brady put together a terrible stat line throwing for 249 yards on a 29 of 56 outing. Will they be able to turn it around against the Vikings? We’ll see, Minnesota has instituted a new more aggressive defense that will challenge the Patriots’ passing attack. If New England can’t get it together, they’ll be staring down an 0-2 record. Although the Minnesota Vikings are going to be without their star running back Adrian Peterson. He has been deactivated for Sunday’s game because he was indicted on what seems to be a very sad story involving a four year old child’s injuries. These injuries are stemming from Peterson’s over the top discipline, which may even have been abuse. Sad.
As sick as this is and how much less important it makes the game of football seem, Peterson’s absence helps the Patriots’ chances in this game. Without Peterson New England can focus more of its defensive effort on wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson; a player that is can change any game with his speed on the ground or through the air. If the Patriots can’t take advantage of this, they may find themselves with an 0-2 record because the Vikings are still a dangerous squad. Not that the Patriots wouldn’t be able to dig their way out of an 0-2 hole, but it’s certainly not an ideal place to be.