Cordarrelle Patterson Robbed of Redemption Chance

How close did Cordarrelle Patterson come to redemption on Sunday? I guess that depends on how you look at it.

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You could argue that Patterson had no shot to catch the ball on that 4th and 4 late in the fourth with the Vikings trying to come back against the Lions.

You could also argue that Patterson was interfered with and would have had a shot to make the play had the uncalled PI not happened.

Was this incidental contact or a penalty? It could have gone either way.

Imagine for a second that Patterson had gotten away from the defender and made that play for the first down. And imagine if the Vikings had followed this by driving down and scoring points to win the game.

Cordarrelle Patterson would be the talk of Viking Nation right now, and this time it would be for all the right reasons.

In recent weeks Patterson has been a topic of conversation for all the WRONG reasons.

Coming into the season Patterson was supposed to evolve into a dynamic playmaker for the Vikings. Instead he has regressed, becoming an afterthought.

As Patterson has fallen off the map, Charles Johnson has emerged as a go-to target for Teddy Bridgewater. Fans’ attitude toward Patterson has gone from frustrated to indifferent.

Patterson can’t even get anything going in kick returns, an area where he had major impact in 2013.

Given Patterson’s reputation as a great return man, it’s fitting that his near-redemption story on Sunday began with a great return.

The Vikings needed a spark after falling behind 16-14 late in the fourth. Patterson seemingly gave it to them with a 51 yard kick return to set up Teddy Bridgewater and the offense at their own 49.

But that wasn’t all for Patterson. After Jarius Wright went out with injury, Patterson was inserted into the offense.

In recent weeks Patterson hasn’t even been able to get on the field with the offense. Earlier this year, when he was on the field, he did very little but take up space.

There was little reason to expect anything from Patterson but his usual invisibility. But, amazingly, the first pass of the drive – after a penalty made it 1st and 20 – went straight to Cordarrelle for nine yards.

A second pass went to Patterson for seven yards. The stage was seemingly set for Patterson to pull off an unlikely hero turn.

And then the fourth down pass missed its target. Was Patterson interfered with? Did the refs rob him of his redemption shot?

You can spin it a lot of ways. Either way, the Vikings lost. But at least Cordarrelle Patterson has something positive he can build on as the season winds down.

For the first time in weeks, Patterson has something good he can hold on to. It’s about time things started looking up for Patterson.