Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who had caught a touchdown pass in back-to-back games coming into Week 16 at Cincinnati, wasn't much of a factor in the passing game on a day when quarterback Matt Cassel threw for only 114 yards, catching three balls for eight yards. He showed off his big-play ability out of the backfield, though, turning a simple toss play into a 35-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.
In all, Patterson had 54 yards on three carries, so the Vikings were willing to get creative to get the ball in his hands. It's not like they didn't try in the passing game. He led the team with seven targets.
With an average of 7.5 targets in his last six games, Patterson figures to remain an instrumental part of the passing game Week 17 against the Lions.