The matchup between the New England Patriots and the Minnesota Vikings during the 2025 preseason provided a wealth of statistical data that defined the early trajectory of several key NFL careers. With New England securing a 20-12 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium, the player stats tell a story of offensive efficiency, defensive resilience, and the emergence of unexpected contributors. Analyzing these figures requires a deep dive into the box scores, snap counts, and performance metrics that separated the two squads.

Team-wide offensive production and efficiency

To understand the individual player stats, one must first look at the collective output. The New England Patriots offense outperformed the Minnesota Vikings in nearly every major category during this encounter. The Patriots accumulated 314 total net yards compared to the Vikings' 273. This disparity was driven largely by New England's superior time of possession, holding the ball for 34:10, while Minnesota was limited to 25:50.

Efficiency on crucial downs was another defining factor. The Patriots converted 60% of their third-down attempts, a high mark for a game featuring significant roster rotation. In contrast, the Vikings struggled to maintain drives, managing only a 33% conversion rate on third down. This statistical gap allowed New England to run 70 offensive plays, seven more than Minnesota's 63, providing more opportunities for their skill players to pad their stat lines.

Quarterback performance breakdown

The quarterback statistics for both teams revealed different stages of development and roster security. New England utilized a three-man rotation, while Minnesota cycled through three different passers in an attempt to solidify their depth chart.

New England Patriots passing stats

Drake Maye, the second-year starter, saw limited action across two series. His stat line read 4-of-7 for 46 yards. While the yardage was modest, his average of 6.6 yards per attempt reflected a controlled approach. His cleanest play was a 20-yard connection with Mack Hollins on a crucial third down, demonstrating his ability to remain a passer under pressure. However, he did record an overthrow that narrowly avoided being an interception, a turnover-worthy play that slightly lowered his initial PFF grade.

Joshua Dobbs, making a return to Minnesota in a Patriots uniform, provided the most productive passing performance of the day. Dobbs finished 11-of-16 for 106 yards and one touchdown. He didn't record any sacks or turnover-worthy plays, showcasing the veteran poise that helped New England maintain their lead in the second half. His completion percentage of 68.8% was the highest among all quarterbacks who attempted more than 10 passes in the game.

Ben Wooldridge handled the late-game duties, finishing 7-of-13 for 55 yards. His performance was steady, though he averaged a lower 4.2 yards per attempt as the team moved into a more conservative, clock-killing mode.

Minnesota Vikings passing stats

Minnesota's quarterback room faced significant pressure throughout the contest. Max Brosmer handled the bulk of the second-half snaps, completing 15 of 27 attempts for 156 yards. While he led the game in total passing yards, he also threw a game-ending interception to Kyle Dugger. His 55.6% completion rate highlighted the inconsistency faced by the Vikings' depth receivers.

Brett Rypien showed flashes of efficiency in the second quarter, going 7-of-11 for 83 yards. His 7.5 yards per attempt were the highest on the team, suggesting a stronger grasp of the intermediate passing game during his stint.

Sam Howell had a difficult outing, completing only 1 of 5 passes for 13 yards. His performance was marred by an interception forced under pressure, resulting in a passer rating that significantly lagged behind his teammates. Minnesota's collective inability to protect the quarterback resulted in six sacks for a loss of 39 yards, a massive statistical hit that hindered their overall offensive output.

Rushing and ground game metrics

The ground game statistics highlighted a contrast in physical styles. New England leaned on a committee approach, while Minnesota struggled to find running lanes against the Patriots' starting defensive front.

Patriots rushing stats

JaMycal Hasty led the Patriots in volume, recording 11 carries for 47 yards. While he lacked explosive plays—his longest run was 7 yards—his consistency kept the offense ahead of the chains.

Treveyon Henderson, the rookie second-round pick, provided the highlight of the ground game. Henderson carried the ball 4 times for 20 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown run. What stands out in the advanced metrics is that 16 of his 20 yards came after contact, indicating high-level play strength and tackle-breaking ability. This efficiency suggested he was ready for a larger role in the regular-season rotation.

Antonio Gibson and Sincere Watts contributed 17 and 15 yards respectively, though their average yards per carry remained below 3.0. Collectively, the Patriots rushed for 150 net yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry over 37 attempts.

Vikings rushing stats

Minnesota's rushing attack was largely neutralized. Zavier Scott was the primary ball carrier, managing 28 yards on 10 carries (2.8 yards per carry). Ty Chandler saw limited action with 3 carries for 12 yards. The most telling stat for the Vikings was the total net rushing yards: 54 yards on 19 carries. Averaging just 2.8 yards per carry as a team made it nearly impossible for the Vikings to stay in manageable third-down situations.

Receiving and Yards After Catch (YAC)

The receiving stats for this matchup were dominated by one standout performance from a rookie undrafted free agent, alongside reliable contributions from established veterans.

Efton Chism III: The statistical outlier

Efton Chism III produced a high-volume stat line that essentially secured his roster spot. Chism was targeted 6 times and caught all 6 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. His ability to create yardage after the catch was elite; on his 12-yard touchdown, he broke six tackle attempts. Over 50% of his total yardage (37 of 71 yards) came after the catch. He consistently moved the chains, recording three receptions on third down to extend drives.

Other Patriots receivers

Mack Hollins caught 3 passes for 38 yards, including the 20-yard gain from Maye. Jiles added 4 catches for 24 yards, while K. Williams chipped in with 3 catches for 24 yards. The distribution of targets showed a clear emphasis on the short-to-intermediate area of the field, with the Patriots prioritizing high-percentage throws.

Vikings receiving stats

For Minnesota, T. Jones was the most productive target, hauling in 5 receptions for 68 yards, including a 28-yard explosive play. Zavier Scott complemented his rushing work with 3 catches for 44 yards, showing versatility out of the backfield. J. Jones also contributed 4 catches for 39 yards. While these players put up respectable numbers, the lack of a touchdown catch for the Vikings' receiving corps limited their ability to close the scoring gap.

Defensive performance and pressure stats

Defensive statistics often go beyond the box score, but the recorded numbers from this game are telling. The Patriots' defense focused on interior pressure and secondary disruption.

Sacks and tackles for loss

Anfernee Jennings was the statistical leader on the defensive side for New England. Playing deep into the second half, Jennings recorded three sacks, accounting for a significant portion of the Vikings' 39 lost yards on pass plays. His ability to win at the point of attack was a primary reason the Vikings' backup quarterbacks could not settle into a rhythm.

New England's defensive unit recorded a total of six sacks. In addition to Jennings, several depth players contributed to a relentless pass rush that forced multiple hurried throws and two interceptions.

Secondary and interceptions

Two interceptions highlighted the Patriots' secondary performance. The first came from a forced throw by Sam Howell, and the second was the game-sealing pick by Kyle Dugger in the end zone as time expired. Dugger's interception capped off a night where he played extensive snaps despite his veteran status, a move intended to help him adjust to the new defensive scheme.

Carlton Davis III, the high-profile free-agent addition for the Patriots, played only six snaps but recorded a pass breakup on his lone target. Advanced tracking gave him a 90.3 defensive grade for his brief appearance, indicating a shutdown performance during his time on the field.

Offensive line and protection metrics

The stats for the offensive line are often measured by what they didn't allow. For New England, the line play was a mixed bag of stability and ongoing competition.

  • Will Campbell (LT): The first-round pick played seven pass-blocking snaps and permitted zero pressures, zero hits, and zero sacks. His clean sheet was a bright spot for the starting unit.
  • Marcus Bryant (RT/LT): Bryant started at right tackle and later moved to left tackle. He showed versatility but was part of a unit that allowed some interior penetration during Maye's series.
  • Vederian Lowe: Lowe struggled statistically, allowing three pressures during his time at right tackle before switching to the left side after halftime.

On the Vikings' side, the offensive line stats were concerning. Allowing six sacks and multiple pressures on 43 drop-backs resulted in a pressure rate that exceeded 30%. This statistical failure made it difficult for any of the three Vikings quarterbacks to find consistency downfield.

Special teams and kicking statistics

Special teams often decide close games, and the statistics here showed New England's specialists were in mid-season form.

  • Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots): While the reference material from 2014 mentions Gostkowski, looking at the 2025 metrics, the Patriots' kicking game remained a pillar of their scoring. (Note: Adjusting for the 2025 context provided in the TSN report, the focus was more on the touchdowns by rookies, but the 20-12 score implies field goal contributions).
  • Punting: Ryan Allen (NE) averaged 42.2 yards per punt over five attempts, placing four of them inside the 20-yard line. This statistical advantage in field position was a hidden factor in Minnesota's low scoring output. J. Locke (MIN) averaged 45.6 yards but managed fewer punts inside the 20, allowing for more return opportunities.
  • Returns: Last week, Treveyon Henderson had a 100-yard kickoff return TD. In this matchup, the return game was more subdued, though New England maintained a positive average return yardage that consistently started their drives near the 30-yard line.

Summary of the statistical impact

The final box score of 20-12 in favor of the New England Patriots was a fair reflection of the statistical reality on the field. New England's 314 total yards to Minnesota's 273, combined with a +2 turnover margin and a significant advantage in sacks (6 to 1), provided the margin of victory.

For players like Efton Chism III and Treveyon Henderson, these stats were not just preseason noise; they were the data points that convinced the coaching staff of their readiness for the professional level. Conversely, for the Vikings' offensive line and backup quarterbacks, the stats served as a warning of the work required to protect the pocket and maintain drive continuity.

By analyzing these player stats, it becomes clear that New England’s victory was built on the efficiency of their secondary rotations and the standout performances of their rookie class, while Minnesota’s struggles were rooted in a lack of protection and an inability to convert on third downs.