This week's match-up between the Patriots and Vikings will be only their eighth meeting in the regular season. The Patriots hold a one-game advantage in the series (4-3). The home team has won the last five games in the series, including two Patriot wins in overtime at Foxboro.
| **DATE** | **RESULT** | **/-** |
| 12/13/70 | Minnesota 35, at NE 14 - at Harvard | -21 |
| 10/27/74 | NE 17, at Minnesota 14 - at Metropolitan | 3 |
| 12/16/79 | at NE 27, Minnesota 23 - at Schaefer | 4 |
| 09/11/88 | at Minnesota 36, NE 6 - at Metrodome | -30 |
| 10/20/91 | at NE 26, Minnesota 23 (OT) - at Foxboro | 3 |
| 11/13/94 | at NE 26, Minnesota 20 (OT) - at Foxboro | 6 |
| 11/02/97 | at Minnesota 23, NE 18 - at Metrodome | -5 |
Total Points: Minnesota 174, Patriots 134
Patriots Largest Margin of Victory: 6 points (11/13/94)
Vikings Largest Margin of Victory: 30 points (9/11/88)
Patriots in Overtime: 2-0
Patriots in Games Decided by 7 points or less: 4-1
Home team's record: 5-2 (including a five-game win streak)
Below is a list of the top individual performances in the series between the Patriots and the Vikings:
| **Rushing Yards** | |
| Patriots: | Sam Cunningham 22-129-0 td (10/27/74) |
| Vikings: | Ricky Young 16-80-0 td (12/16/79) |
| **Passing Yards** | |
| Patriots: | Drew Bledsoe 70-45-426-3 tds (11/13/94) |
| Vikings: | Warren Moon 42-26-349-1 td (11/13/94) |
| **Receiving Yards** | |
| Patriots: | Irving Fryar 9-161-0 td (10/20/91) |
| Vikings: | John Henderson 8-137-1 td (12/13/70) |
- Patriots defensive tackle Henry Thomas spent the first eight years of his career with the Vikings (1987-94).
- Patriots wide receiver Troy Brown (1991-92) and Minnesota wide receiver Randy Moss (1996-97) both attended Marshall.
- Patriots fullback Tony Carter attended the University of Minnesota (1990-93).
- Minnesota's 2000 first-round draft pick Chris Hovan played his collegiate ball at Boston College.
- Patriots linebacker Rob Holmberg played in 16 games for Minnesota last season.
The Minnesota Vikings dealt the New England Patriots a 23-18 loss on Nov. 2, 1997 at the Metrodome in Minnesota.
The Vikings opened the game with a 74-yard kickoff return, which they turned into a 24-yard field goal. On their next possession, quarterback Brad Johnson connected on a 43-yard pass to Cris Carter, who fumbled the ball ahead to the 1-yard line, where it was recovered by the Vikings. Two plays later, the Vikings took a 10-0 lead.
The Patriots put their first points on the board in the second quarter when Adam Vinatieri kicked a 22-yard field goal to cap an 81-yard drive, highlighted by a 76-yard pass from Bledsoe to Shawn Jefferson. The Vikings added another field goal and led 13-3 at the half.
The Patriots battled back in the fourth quarter, scoring on every possession. Bledsoe connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jefferson, but the extra point attempt failed and they trailed by seven, 16-9. Vinatieri's second field goal brought the Patriots to within four points, 16-12. Johnson connected with Carter on a 28-yard touchdown pass and the Vikings led 23-12 with just 2:39 remaining. The Patriots responded with an 11-play, 69-yard scoring drive of their own, but failed to convert their two-point attempt and trailed 23-18. with just 0:42 remaining. The ensuing onside kick sailed out of bounds and was awarded to the Vikings.
The Patriots produced a milestone trifecta with a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver for the first time since the 1995 season opener vs. Cleveland. It was just the fifth time in franchise history that the Patriots have had three-such individual efforts in a single game.
