Monday Night Football Score: New England Patriots 31 Minnesota Vikings 7

Chester Taylor was held to 15 yards on the ground in the first half and Brad Johnson was picked off twice as the Patriots defense matched the intensity of their offense resulting in a 17-0 halftime lead.

Brady was able to connect with eight different receivers in the first half and totaled 257 passing yards in the games first 30 minutes. The 257 yards were the most for a first half in the NFL this season.

Minnesota finally got on the board in the second half after Mewelde Moore returned a New England punt 71 yards for a touchdown. Not to be outdone Laurence Maroney took the ensuing kickoff 77 yards down to the Vikings 21-yard line for the Patriots. Brady eventually hit Troy Brown for a seven yard touchdown to push the score to 24-7.

Bill Belichick continued to allow Brady to throw and just before the end of the third quarter he hit Chad Jackson for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Jackson was the tenth Patriot to catch a Brady pass and the Patriots led 31-7.

In the end Brady had connected with Benjamin Watson seven times for 95 yards and a touchdown, Reche Caldwell seven times for 84 yards and a touchdown and Doug Gabriel five times for 83 yards. Troy Brown and Chad Jackson each caught a Brady touchdown pass in the win.

The Patriots defense was as impressive as their offense, intercepting Brad Johnson three times and holding Chester Taylor to 22 yards on 10 carries. Brooks Bollinger came on in the fourth quarter for Brad Johnson and was sacked on his first three plays from scrimmage. The Pat’s defense totaled four sacks on the night and four interceptions.

New England moved to 6-1 on the year and get ready to host next weeks match-up with the undefeated Indianapolis Colts.

The loss dropped the Vikings to 4-3 heading into San Francisco next Sunday.