Minnesota Vikings: Cordarrelle Patterson Involved Early and Often

The Minnesota Vikings routed the New York Giants 24-10 on Monday Night Football last night. Here is the main takeaway we observed.

It is midweek and the Minnesota Vikings are still undefeated. With great play throughout all facets of the game, the Vikings were able to take the win.

This week the team’s focus was to play well from start to finish. We can say that it looks like that was accomplished.

This time around it wasn’t half time adjustments and late momentum changers that helped the Vikings take over the game. They took the lead early and never surrendered it.

One of the main takeaways that stood out to me was the impact of wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.

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Patterson, who has been deemed a bust since his rookie year, was impactful in multiple sides of the ball last night.

Yesterday I wrote that there was a chance that we could see Treadwell involved in the game plan. Seeing that Jarius Wright was inactive meant more snaps opening up for a wideout.

Treadwell was not the recipient of those snaps. Patterson was.

He seems to be out of head coach Mike Zimmer’s “dog house.” He has been doing whatever is asked of him to try and help this team win.

Patterson has been used as the “gunner” on punt coverages as of late. Patterson’s speed gives him an advantage over most. Last night after a 3 and out, Patterson was key in forcing a fumble on a punt that was recovered by the Vikings.

Seeing plays designed for him that were actually passing plays, and not just trickery was also nice. He ended up with a 21 yard reception on this play.

He also forced a pass interference penalty in the end zone that put the Vikings on the 1 yard line and led to a score.

Patterson was also used in the backfield on an end around and in the wildcat with Jerrick McKinnon.

The threat of Patterson’s speed and athleticism is a tool that is useful in many facets of the game. He was involved on 36/74 snaps.

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It is good to see him getting involved. The stories of him putting in the extra work this season must have been true. Patterson is such a great teammate in the Minnesota Vikings locker room.
It is nice to see him doing whatever is asked of him to help the team win.