FOXBOROUGH — So, are the Patriots’ red-zone issues a thing of the past?
Coming into Sunday’s game, New England was struggling when it came to finishing off drives. The Patriots were 13th in the league in red-zone touchdown rate at 63 percent, and were coming off a game where they had major red-zone issues. It was a nagging thorn in the side of the offense, which has settled for three instead of seven all too often.
But Sunday against the Vikings, New England’s red-zone effort was buoyed by the presence of fullback James Develin, who produced a pair of short-yardage touchdowns in the 24-10 win over the Vikings.
“It was awesome,” Shaq Mason said of Develin’s two touchdowns. “It was like one of us scoring.”
“Oh, man. I love it. I hope someone had him in fantasy this weekend,” added David Andrews with a grin.
In all, New England had two touchdowns in three red-zone trips, both of them thanks to Develin.
“Pretty sweet,” said Tom Brady. “When he makes those plays, he gives us more and more confidence. It’s pretty cool.”
“He's the player of the game in my eyes. He stepped up big,” said Cordarrelle Patterson.
The first two-touchdown game of Develin’s life sparked a serious question: Is it crazy to think he could be at least a partial short-yardage answer for New England down the stretch and into the postseason?
The short answer? Anything is possible. New England doesn’t have a traditional big back this year — James White, Sony Michel and Cordarrelle Patterson have had their moments, but none of them have the size needed to move the pile like the LeGarrette Blounts or Corey Dillons New England has had in the past. He’s a hammer, and proved as much Sunday against the best red-zone defense in the league. Twice. Here was the second one on the afternoon.
3 carries, 3 touchdowns this season.
RT to send this guy back to the Pro Bowl.#ProBowlVote @James_Develin | #MINvsNE pic.twitter.com/E2SaZJixcL
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 2, 2018