Johnson feels the pressure

MINNEAPOLIS -- Restless Metrodome fans watching their seemingly improved Vikings get shellacked on "Monday Night Football" were looking for any reason to cheer, any small sign that things could change.

They thought they had found it when the Vikings, trailing the Patriots, 31-7, early in the fourth quarter, turned to backup quarterback Brooks Bollinger in relief of an oft-harried and thrice-intercepted Brad Johnson.

Instead, it was more of the same. In fact, for the fans, it somehow got worse, and for a dominant Patriots defense, it somehow got better. On his first three snaps of the night, Bollinger dropped back to pass. All three times, he was sacked.

Icing on the cake. Turn out the lights, the party's over. Whatever you want to call it, it was a final statement of New England dominance that was every bit as evident on defense as it was on offense.

The difference between the Patriots and Vikings -- and the Patriots and all but a handful of teams -- is that New England can make others' weaknesses its strength.

Last night, the Vikings could not do the same, partly because of their shortcomings but mostly because the Patriots' defense gave Minnesota no chance to match New England score-for-score.

With New England leading, 7-0, and quarterback Tom Brady shredding Minnesota through the air, it looked as though the Vikings might draw even via the passing game, albeit in shorter chunks. But after converting on three consecutive third downs, Minnesota reached a third and goal from the Patriots' 5 late in the first quarter. Johnson dropped back, appeared confused, and lofted an interception right into the hands of Rodney Harrison.

"That was big for the team," Harrison said, "but not necessarily for me. I don't look at it from a selfish standpoint."

The interception was a sign of things to come, from a couple of standpoints. From that point, the Patriots' third-down defense was dominant, allowing just two conversions on nine attempts. In addition, the Vikings ventured into New England territory seven times in the game -- three in the red zone -- and came up empty.

"Coming up with the right plays at the right times has been invaluable to our success," said defensive back Artrell Hawkins, who had four tackles.

The defense pitched a shutout overall, with the Vikings' only score coming on a Mewelde Moore punt return. Pass-rushing specialist Tully Banta-Cain was a force, recording two sacks -- including one during that punctuating sequence against Bollinger -- and consistently pressuring both quarterbacks. His sack late in the first half helped halt a Vikings drive, keeping Minnesota from gaining any momentum going into a break at which it instead trailed, 17-0.

"It makes it easier to play defense," Tedy Bruschi said. "All of the sudden, we're up, 17-0, and the [Vikings] get out of their game plan."

For much of the season, Minnesota's plan has involved safe passing plays, a consistent running game, and a reliance on defense. After falling behind early, however, the Vikings only handed the ball to Chester Taylor 10 times, and he gained only 22 yards. The outlet routes that have often been there for Johnson were sealed off by tight New England coverage, forcing him into mistakes.

In all, it was a dominant performance by a unit that played second fiddle to the Vikings' vaunted run defense much of the week.