Patch Patsgiving Roundup: Can Pats Defense Shut Down Justin Jefferson?

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Patriots fans received a gift from NFL schedule makers this year when they gave the Pats and Thanksgiving Day slot for the first time in 10 years.

The Patriots last played on Thanksgiving in 2012, when they beat the Jets 49-19. Mark Sanchez quarterbacked that game for the Jets, and, thanks to him, the only reason anyone remembers the matchup is because of the infamous "Butt Fumble".

This year, the Patriots square off against the Minnesota Vikings during a Thanksgiving triple-header.

The Patriots only scored 10 points in last week's victory over the Jets, and seven of them came within the final minute of the game on a punt return. As luck would have it, the Patriots faced off against Zach Wilson, so it didn't much matter how few points were scored.

It's unlikely that even Bill Belichick can scheme up a gameplan to hold the Minnesota Vikings to three points on Thanksgiving Day.

Led by Justin Jefferson, perhaps the league's preeminent young receiver, the Vikings can put up points, but can also be held back by uneasy quarterback play. Then there's what they say about Kirk Cousins in primetime.

Still Mac Jones and the Patriots offense will need to find a way to score in this one. Here's what to know ahead of the matchup:

David Andrews Has That Dog In Him

Earlier this week, the narrative surrounding Patriots center David Andrews was that of a season lost. Andrews suffered a thigh injury that was reportedly going to end his season before Thanksgiving.

Then he practiced this week.

Andrews was helped to the locker room during Sunday's win over the Jets. On Tuesday, the Boston Globe reported that rather than the injury being season-ending, Andrews was listed as day-to-day and is going to try and play through the pain.

It hasn't yet been determined if he'll play Thursday.

Patriots Thanksgiving Record

The Patriots won their last Thanksgiving Day game in the aforementioned "Butt Fumble" game, but haven't been a lock for wins in their short history on Turkey Day.

Here's there all-time history in the holiday games, with a 3-2 record, courtesy of Yahoo:

• 1984 – Lost 20-17 against Dallas
• 2000 – Lost 34-9 against Detroit
• 2002 – Won 20-12 against Detroit
• 2010 – Won 45-24 against Detroit
• 2012 – Won 49-19 against New York Jets

Thanksgiving Day Slate

There are three games on Thanksgiving. Here's who plays and when:

• Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions, 12:30 p.m. on CBS
• New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. on Fox
• Patriots at Vikings, 8:20 p.m. on NBC

Odds and Ends

• Kickoff: Thursday, Nov. 24, 8:20 p.m.
• Network: NBC
• Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
• Weather forecast: Dome