In the end, the luck seems to even out each season. Many felt the Pats were hosed against the Jets and Panthers last season as questionable calls directly led to losses. Against the Saints and Browns, matters were much different as New England beat the clock against New Orleans and recovered its first onside kick in nearly 20 years in beating Cleveland.
The only reason the Browns game will be thought of fondly around here is solely because of its outcome, a one-point Patriots victory. The New England defense made quarterback Jason Campbell look brilliant that Sunday, as Campbell passed for 391 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Calling the Browns offense last December was Norv Turner, the man who will be calling the Vikings offense this Sunday in Minnesota (1 p.m., CBS) when the Pats and Vikes tangle.
Bill Belichick has fared well in the win column against Turner since he took over as Patriots head coach in 2000. Against Turner-coached offenses, Belichick is 10-2 and his defenses have allowed 18.75 points per game.
But Turner offenses have fared better lately against the Pats, posting an average of 24.25 points per game in the last four meetings. This includes the 26 points the Browns scored in Foxboro last December. Cleveland had two receivers have 100-plus yard receiving outings that day as Josh Gordon (151 yards) and Jordan Cameron (121 yards) torched the Pats’ defense.
The Vikings offense Turner is working with now may have more weapons than that 2013 Cleveland team. Cordarrelle Patterson – a wide receiver – actually rushed for 102 yards against the Rams last Sunday. Greg Jennings is more than capable as a receiver and then there is, of course, running back Adrian Peterson.
Follow Metro Boston sports editor Matt Burke on Twitter: @BurkeMetroBOS
