Game story
In Week 8 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-10-30, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 31–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +7.01 total EPA, and +4.3% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Watson (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.62 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+12.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (13:36) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 85-D.Gabriel to MIN 41 for 45 yards (24-D.Smith).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 7 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Watson · New England Patriots · Receiving · +9.62 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
- 2 D. Gabriel · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.33 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
- 3 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +7.01 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 4 M. Moore · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.52 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
- 5 T. Williamson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.40 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
- 6 R. Caldwell · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.83 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
- 7 L. Maroney · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.29 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
- 8 H. Evans · New England Patriots · Rushing · +2.19 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.19 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Watson — NE · Receiving
B. Watson posted the highest total EPA (+9.62) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New England Patriots's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +1.37 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.08 EPA) came from Minnesota Vikings: (:48) (Shotgun) 9-B.Bollinger pass INTERCEPTED by 27-E.Hobbs at NE -1. 27-E.Hobbs to MIN 31 for 70 yards (9-B.Bollinger).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New England Patriots — R. Caldwell (T. Brady pass)
- New England Patriots — B. Watson (T. Brady pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — M. Moore
- New England Patriots — T. Brown (T. Brady pass)
- New England Patriots — C. Jackson (T. Brady pass)
Field goals
- New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 6 (Q1 56:13) — (11:13) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 87-R.Caldwell for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 56:07) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller..
The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIN 5 (Q2 42:12) — (12:12) 3-S.Gostkowski 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 9 (Q2 30:31) — (:31) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 84-B.Watson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 30:25) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller..
The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIN 82 (Q3 25:57) — (10:57) 8-J.Miller punts 53 yards to MIN 29, Center-66-L.Paxton. 30-M.Moore for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 25:36) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 7 (Q3 24:07) — (9:07) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 80-T.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 24:03) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 10 (Q3 15:12) — (:12) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 17-C.Jackson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 15:05) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New England Patriots (Q1 58:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 85-D.Gabriel to MIN 41 for 45 yards (24-D.Smith).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 45:42) — (:42) 14-B.Johnson pass short right intended for 30-M.Moore INTERCEPTED by 37-R.Harrison at NE 0. 37-R.Harrison to NE 2 for 2 yards (76-S.Hutchinson).
- New England Patriots (Q2 33:43) — (3:43) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 87-R.Caldwell to MIN 42 for 34 yards (21-F.Smoot).
- New England Patriots (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 84-B.Watson to MIN 44 for 40 yards (24-D.Smith). Penalty on MIN-21-F.Smoot, Illegal Use of Hands, declined.
- New England Patriots (Q1 52:23) — (7:23) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right intended for 84-B.Watson INTERCEPTED by 42-D.Sharper at NE 45. 42-D.Sharper to NE 45 for no gain (84-B.Watson).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:48) — (:48) (Shotgun) 9-B.Bollinger pass INTERCEPTED by 27-E.Hobbs at NE -1. 27-E.Hobbs to MIN 31 for 70 yards (9-B.Bollinger).
- New England Patriots (Q3 18:05) — (3:05) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 87-R.Caldwell to MIN 7 for no gain (21-F.Smoot). FUMBLES (21-F.Smoot), RECOVERED by MIN-24-D.Smith at MIN 9. 24-D.Smith to MIN 14 for 5 yards (70-L.Mankins). Play
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 14:33) — (14:33) 14-B.Johnson pass short right intended for 85-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 50-M.Vrabel [54-T.Bruschi] at NE 30. 50-M.Vrabel to NE 32 for 2 yards (40-J.Kleinsasser).
- New England Patriots (Q4 8:38) — (8:38) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady sacked at MIN 41 for -9 yards (92-J.Mitchell). FUMBLES (92-J.Mitchell), recovered by NE-72-M.Light at MIN 43. PENALTY on NE-70-L.Mankins, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced at MI
Quarterback report card
T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 49 dropbacks · 59.2% completion · +4.3% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +7.01 total EPA
- B.Johnson (Minnesota Vikings) · 37 dropbacks · 54.1% completion · -0.2% CPOE · -0.38 EPA/play · -14.02 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New England Patriots | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.001 | -0.373 |
| Offensive success rate | 51.9% | 42.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.143 | -0.518 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.064 | -0.238 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.373 | -0.001 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.7% | 48.1% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.00 vs -0.37), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Minnesota Vikings: 13 drives, -29.07 total EPA, 0 scoring drives
- New England Patriots: 13 drives, +0.10 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- B. Watson (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- T. Brady (NE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 56:13 · MIN 6 · Score 6-0
(11:13) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 87-R.Caldwell for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 56:07 · MIN 2 · Score 7-0
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 42:12 · MIN 5 · Score 10-0
(12:12) 3-S.Gostkowski 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 30:31 · MIN 9 · Score 16-0
(:31) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 84-B.Watson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 30:25 · MIN 2 · Score 17-0
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 25:57 · MIN 82 · Score 17-6
(10:57) 8-J.Miller punts 53 yards to MIN 29, Center-66-L.Paxton. 30-M.Moore for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 25:36 · NE 2 · Score 17-7
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 24:07 · MIN 7 · Score 23-7
(9:07) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 80-T.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 24:03 · MIN 2 · Score 24-7
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 15:12 · MIN 10 · Score 30-7
(:12) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 17-C.Jackson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 15:05 · MIN 2 · Score 31-7
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings?
The New England Patriots beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-7 in Week 8, 2006 on 2006-10-30.
What was the final score of New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings?
The final score was New England Patriots 31, Minnesota Vikings 7 (NE 31-7 MIN) in Week 8, 2006 on 2006-10-30.
What was the score by quarter in New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings?
Q1: New England Patriots 7, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q2: New England Patriots 10, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q3: New England Patriots 14, Minnesota Vikings 7; Final: New England Patriots 31, Minnesota Vikings 7.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings?
New England Patriots touchdown — R. Caldwell (T. Brady pass) (Q1 56:13) New England Patriots touchdown — B. Watson (T. Brady pass) (Q2 30:31) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Moore (Q3 25:57) New England Patriots touchdown — T. Brown (T. Brady pass) (Q3 24:07) New England Patriots touchdown — C. Jackson (T. Brady pass) (Q3 15:12) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q2 42:12, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings?
T. Brady (New England Patriots), 59.2% completion, +4.3% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +7.01 total passing EPA. B. Johnson (Minnesota Vikings), 54.1% completion, -0.2% CPOE, -0.38 EPA per dropback, -14.02 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings?
B. Watson (New England Patriots) led the game in total EPA with +9.62 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.08 EPA): (:48) (Shotgun) 9-B.Bollinger pass INTERCEPTED by 27-E.Hobbs at NE -1. 27-E.Hobbs to MIN 31 for 70 yards (9-B.Bollinger).. The biggest win-probability swing was +12.2%.
Season records after this game
New England Patriots
Entered 5-1 Now 6-1 W
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 4-2 Now 4-3 L
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