Minnesota took a 7-0 lead after their first possession, but the New England defense stepped up and forced four turnovers as they scored the game's final 30 points to win 30-7.
That scoring drive by the Vikings was capped by Matt Cassel's 25 yard touchdown to a wide open Matt Asiata on the wheel route. The New England defense was in shambles as they let him run costless up the sideline for the easy score. Asiata was replacing Adrian Peterson in the starting lineup after he was deactivated on Friday following his indictment for negligence of a child.
That would be the highlight of the game for the Vikings, as their next drive ended when Cassel threw a deep ball to Jarius Wright, but Devin McCourty picked the ball off and returned it 60 yards to the half-yard line. Two plays later, New England tied the game at 7 with Stevan Ridley's one yard touchdown run.
The Patriots added a 48 yard field goal from Stephen Gostkowski late in the first quarter to take a 10-7 lead. Minnesota's next drive ended with Cassel's pass to Greg Jennings intercepted again, this time Darrelle Revis. The Patriots capitalized on the turnover, but not before Tom Brady found Julian Edelman up the left sideline for a 44 yard gain on third and 14 after a poor angle from a Vikings defender. Brady's 9 yard touchdown pass to Edelman gave the Patriots the 17-7 lead.
The play that effectively ended any chance of a comeback was Blair Walsh's 48 yard field goal attempt. Chandler Jones blocked the kick, recovered the ball and ran it 58 yards for the touchdown to give the Patriots a 24-7 lead going into halftime. Minnesota would have been down only 17-10 had Walsh made it.
Minnesota's first possession of the third quarter resulted in Cassel's third interception of the game. Logan Ryan was there for the take away and the Patriots made it 27-7 after Gostkowski's 47 yard field goal.
Gostkowski added his third field goal of the game on the first play of the final quarter to make it 30-7. Cassel threw his fourth interception midway through the fourth quarter when Dominique Easley picked the ball off.
Tom Brady had an effective game going 15 of 22 for 149 yards and a touchdown. The offensive line played better as well only allowing one sack for a loss of 7 yards.
Stevan Ridley had 101 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Shane Vereen had six carries for 40 yards. Julian Edelman caught 6 balls for 81 yards and a touchdown. Rob Gronkowski had 4 catches for 32 yards in another subdued performance.
Matt Cassel had a terrible game. He went 19 of 36 for 202 yards with a touchdown, but also had the four interceptions. Matt Asiata was shut down with only 36 yards for 13 carries. Cordarrelle Patterson was the leading receiver with 4 catches for 56 yards while Kyle Rudolph had 5 catches for 43 yards. Cassel's safety valve, Asiata, had 5 catches for 48 yards and the lone touchdown.
New England (1-1) has their home opener next week versus the Oakland Raiders (0-1 as of this publishing). Minnesota (1-1) will travel to New Orleans to face the 0-2 Saints next Sunday.