Minnesota opened with Gabriel Murphy and Bo Richter at outside linebacker, Jonathan Harris, Taki Taimani and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins on the defensive line, Kobe King and Austin Keys at inside linebacker, Mekhi Blackmon and Zemaiah Vaughn at cornerback and Jay Ward at safety.
The Vikings offense opened with 11 personnel (one running back and one tight end with three receivers).
Tai Felton, Lucky Jackson and Thayer Thomas opened at receiver, running Ty Chandler joined quarterback Sam Howell in the backfield, and undrafted rookie Ben Yurosek was at tight end. Minnesota opted to have Henry Byrd at left tackle, Joe Huber at left guard, Michael Jurgens at center, Blake Brandel at right guard and Walter Rouse at right tackle.
Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrable, however, opted to play multiple starters, including quarterback Drake Maye and prized offseason acquisition Milton Williams at defensive tackle, but no Stefon Diggs.
The Vikings limited Maye to 46 yards on 4-for-7 passing. The No. 3 overall pick of 2024 finished with a passer rating of 77.1 and did not attempt a dropback after a hit by Tyler Batty on a second-and-10 from the Minnesota 25 fell incomplete.
Maye didn't need to, however, as rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson gained 11 on third-and-10 and rushed for an 8-yard touchdown on third-and-4 for a 7-0 lead with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter. Henderson finished with four carries for 20 yards and returned the opening kickoff of the game 26 yards.