What a difference a few days and one impressive regular season win can make.
Judging by the reaction to the Vikings’ 34-6 road win over St. Louis on Sunday, Minnesota has gone from one of the bottom few teams in the NFL, to one of the most talked about.
Here is a rundown of some random facts about the Vikings victory.
- Their first road win since a 23-6 victory at Houston on Dec. 23, 2012
- Their largest win since defeating Dallas 34-3 in the 2009 NFC Divisional Playoffs
- Their largest road win since beating St. Louis 38-10 on Oct. 11, 2009.
28 point-margin still would be Vikings biggest win in an opener since beat Houston 38-7 to start 1989.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) September 7, 2014
While Vikings coach Mike Zimmer remains cautious after the big win, experts around the league are quickly taking note, especially the Vikings defense and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.
Along with five sacks, the Vikings defense intercepted the Rams’ quarterbacks twice, including one that Harrison Smith return 80 yards for a touchdown.
Granted, Rams kept tripping over pants around their ankles, but #Vikings defense held opponent to 2 FGs after allowing 30 per game in 2013
— Brian Murphy (@murphmedia_) September 7, 2014
Impressed so far with Anthony Barr. Good chase speed and willing to take on blockers with w/o fear. #vikingsvsrams
— Ben Leber (@nacholeber) September 7, 2014
Patterson’s performance also drew plenty of praise. He finished with 102 yards rushing, including a 67-yard touchdown run.
#RockHill RT @JamieReidy: Cordarelle Patterson rushed for more yards than Adrian Peterson & Jamaal Charles COMBINED.
— Lou Bezjak (@LouatTheState) September 8, 2014
Amazing how quickly Cordarelle Patterson has made Viking fans forget about Harvin. Dynamic weapon. 67-yd TD run for the "raw" second yr WR.
— Dion Caputi (@nfldraftupdate) September 7, 2014
Cordarelle Patterson doing Cordarelle Patterson things. This guy is explosive as anyone in the league #Vikings #NFL
— Steve Kim – #AirCristobal2024 (@SteveKim323) September 7, 2014
The biggest praise may have come from Monday Morning Quarterback writer Peter King. He moved the Vikings all the way up to eighth in his power rankings.
“I know the Rams could be a bottom-five team (could?), but that was a very impressive win by a team with so much to prove. Cordarrelle Patterson (102 rushing yards, of all things) is going to be an incredible weapon in the hands of offensive coordinator Norv Turner.”
King closed out his recap with what he called the Adieu Haiku:
Such great plays Sunday.
A couple by a tall Vike.
Pronounced “Cor-DARE-ul.”
