Sid's Sunday jottings

JOTTINGS

• Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who will coach his 300th NFL game Sunday, said there is "just not a lot of margin for error with the way the Vikings play defense."

• Belichick and Vikings coach Mike Zimmer share a partial coaching tree with Bill Parcells. Belichick was with him for 12 seasons while Zimmer was with him for four.

• "He's very comfortable in the pocket," Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins said about his QB opponent, Tom Brady of the Patriots. "He does a great job of feeling the rush and not seeing the rush. In that way he's very mobile, and he has always been great in crunch time."

• Pro Football Focus writes that since Dalvin Cook returned to action in Week 9 he has forced seven missed tackles as a receiver. That is the most for running backs since Week 9.

• It's hard to believe PFF also has the Vikings offensive line ranked No. 30 in the league even though it has improved a great deal lately.

• After facing the Patriots and the Seahawks, the Vikings' remaining opponents have a combined record of 17-16.

• Former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum has been on a tear for the Broncos after a rough start. Denver has won two in a row vs. playoff teams in the Chargers and Steelers.

• CBS predicts the Gophers will play in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium vs. Virginia on Dec. 27.

• An MLB.com headline this week read, "Say hello to your 2019 AL Central champs, the Minnesota Twins."

• Former DeLaSalle and Stanford standout Reid Travis is averaging 13.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for Kentucky.

• Shakopee grad Steffon Mitchell had eight points, 13 rebounds and two blocks for Boston College in its win over the Gophers.

• There are no former Gophers basketball players in the NBA.