MINNEAPOLIS — Cordarrelle Patterson took the kickoff and bolted up the right hash marks before veering outside to the numbers.
After a key block and a quick cut, Patterson was in the clear. And in the span of 13 seconds, Patterson sent a roar throughout U.S. Bank Stadium.
Patterson's 104-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening kickoff of the second half was instrumental in helping the Vikings end their four-game skid with a 30-24 win over Arizona on Sunday.
"I caught the ball and saw the hole," Patterson said. "There's no way I could have missed it.
"I made my cut, saw the kicker miss … and I just ran it back," he added.
Patterson's dazzling play, which was helped by a key block by Zach Line on Arizona's Patrick Peterson, also put him in the record books.
The former first-round pick now has five kickoff returns for touchdowns, tying him with Percy Harvin for the most in team history.
He also has 3,767 career kickoff return yards, and 13 games with at least 100 kickoff return yards — both franchise marks.
Patterson also added some unofficial history to his name as he has now has kickoff return for scores in the Metrodome, TCF Bank Stadium and U.S. Bank Stadium.
"Every time I'm back there I just feel like I have a chance to score," Patterson said. "We're one of the best kickoff returning teams in the NFL. That's how we approach every game.
"Once we get our chance, we're going to take it out," he added. "We talk about it all the time; we might not have a chance, so when we get it we have to just go with the opportunity."
Patterson also flashed his skills as a receiver, catching four passes for 53 yards. His longest play came on third-and-1 when he caught a quick crossing route and turned it into a 30-yard gain.
Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford said Patterson, who has at least three receptions in each of the past seven games, is simply a playmaker.
"CP's been great since I've been here," Bradford said. "You look at what he does on special teams when the ball's in his hands. He just feels like one of those guys that if we get him five, six touches a game, that he's going to create something positive.
"Any time the ball's in his hands, he's got a chance to make a play," he added. "As far as him playing wide receiver, I think he's done a great job. His routes have gotten better … he feels more involved, and he's just been a really good weapon for us on the perimeter."
Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen got the Vikings on the board first with a 16-yard touchdown catch that involved a few toe-tapping dance moves.
But even with his own score, one of Patterson's best friends was fired up to see him take a kickoff back all the way for the first time this season.
"I was way more excited that CP scored," Thielen said. "He's been working his tail off, and it's fun to see guys that deserve it make things happen."
