BY NICK ST. DENIS
The New England Patriots knew Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel pretty well from their time together in the mid-2000s.
Apparently, they knew him better than we thought.
The Patriots picked off Cassel, now the Vikings' signal-caller, four times Sunday in a 30-7 Week 2 victory. New England, now 1-1, also sacked Cassel six times and held the Vikings to just four third down conversions all game.
Defensive end Chandler Jones also helped the cause on special teams, returning a blocked kick for a touchdown.
"Defensively when you can get turnovers, Chan (Chandler Jones) blocking a kick and returning it for a touchdown, that’s how you want to come out and play," Patriots safety Devin McCourty said, via Patriots.com. "It’s all about points, giving up seven points gives you a chance to win games especially when our offense has a focus on them."
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, however, wasn't particularly happy with how his unit performed.
New England converted on just five of 14 third-down attempts, while Brady connected on 15 of 22 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown to Julian Edelman.
"I am happy we won, I just wish we went out there and played like we’re capable," Brady said. "It’s just the way it is. I am glad we won, it was a great team win, a lot of guys contributed, a lot of great plays were made. Hopefully offensively we can do a better job next week."
