Blocked field goal turned the tide for Patriots

Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer returns from his suspension Monday and, boy, does he have some fixing to do.

In one of the Vikings' most embarrassing special teams efforts in recent memory, it was Chandler Jones' 58-yard touchdown return of a blocked Blair Walsh field goal attempt right before halftime that proved to be the turning point in New England's 30-7 romp at TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday.

"Yeah, we were lined up to make it 17-10 there," safety Harrison Smith said. "And then it flipped to 24-7 like that. That's a big change."

That's an insurmountable change.

"We needed that kick," Walsh said of the 48-yarder with 19 seconds left in the first half. "We can't have that. We have to have enough room to make those kicks."

Matt Kalil was the right tackle on the play. To his right was defensive end Corey Wootton.

Jones split them easily as Kalil went to his knees and missed the block. Wootton was stood up at the line by Rob Ninkovich, preventing Wootton from sliding down to help close the gap.

Priefer was suspended by the team for the first three games of the season after making an anti-gay remark to former punter Chris Kluwe. He reduced the suspension to two games by completing sensitivity training.

Interim special teams coordinator Joe Marciano won't likely put this game on his résumé. The Vikings at one point had just nine players on the field for a punt return.