Cordarrelle Patterson Finally Makes An Impact On Offense

Oct 27, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) returns a kickoff against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Packers win 44-31. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Redskins came into Thursday night’s game with a plan for how to stop Cordarrelle Patterson from hurting them in the return game. It was a simple plan really: just don’t kick the ball to him.

The Redskins worked the plan almost to perfection, giving Patterson only two chances out of six kickoffs. Patterson returned those two kicks for only a total of 37 yards and never got close to breaking one.

But this night, unlike all the other nights of his short career, kick returns would not be the whole story for Cordarrelle Patterson. This was the night Patterson finally got a chance to show his stuff on offense. At least a little.

He wasn’t a huge contributor, only being targeted four times on the evening, but Patterson made the most of the chances he did get. His two receptions were both big plays, the first a twenty yarder, the second a two-yarder for a touchdown.

Fans who have been screaming for Patterson to get more involved could only be elated to see the dynamic young talent at last get into the end zone. Patterson would be shut out for the rest of the night but at least he got those two early plays in. And he scored his first offensive TD.

Tonight’s performance, hopefully, was just the beginning of what will be a long, successful run for Patterson in the NFL. He’s already flashed the talent, now he has to refine the skills. And the coaches have to show the trust.

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