Each Wednesday, beat guy Matt Vensel will highlight five Vikings stats that really mean something.

67 — yards on Cordarrelle Patterson's record-setting touchdown run Sunday.

Cordarrelle Patterson did not have a big day against the Rams as a receiver, catching three passes for 26 yards. But as we saw late in his rookie season, Patterson was able to make a huge impact as a runner. Patterson rushed for 102 yards on three carries, 67 of them coming on his highlight-reel touchdown in the third quarter. The play was the longest run by a wide receiver in Vikings history, and Patterson has now produced two of the top three. Patterson, who has averaged 17.3 yards per carry in his career, has scored four rushing TD's, tying Percy Harvin's team record for receivers.

21 — number of the Vikings' runs against the Rams that went right.

When I went back and watched the game last night, I couldn't help but notice the Vikings often running to the right behind guard Brandon Fusco and tackle Phil Loadholt — and away from Rams defensive end Robert Quinn and defensive tackle Michael Brockers. As it turns out, 21 of the team's 31 rushing attempts went to the right of the center, according to Pro Football Focus, with Fusco and center John Sullivan often pulling. The Vikings picked up 158 of their 188 rushing yards going to the right — all three of Patterson's big runs went that direction — and averaged 7.5 yards per carry.

three — passes thrown beyond 10 yards downfield against the Rams.

In an effort to keep Quinn, an All-Pro pass rusher, and the St. Louis front four off of starting quarterback Matt Cassel, offensive coordinator Norv Turner installed a conservative game plan with predominantly short throws. Often tossing screen passes, quick outs or hitches, Cassel threw 22 of his 25 attempts less than 10 yards downfield, according to ESPN Stats and Information. That means he attempted just three throws beyond 10 yards. He completed one of them for 18 yards.

2.77 — the Rams' quarterback rating when targeting Josh Robinson.

Fair or not, Josh Robinson was one of Pro Football Focus' lowest-graded cornerbacks a season ago, but he gave them good tape to critique Sunday. Robinson came off the bench as the third corner before replacing the injured Xavier Rhodes in the base. He was targeted just three times in 29 snaps in coverage, allowing just one completion for seven yards. His second-quarter interception was a game-changer. Oh, if you are wondering, PFF gave him one of the team's highest grades.

10 — plays in which the Vikings sent more than four pass rushers Sunday.

It sure felt like the Vikings blitzed a lot Sunday, and I'm sure the Rams quarterbacks would agree. But according to Pro Football Focus, the Vikings sent more than four pass rushers on just 10 passing plays, generating pressure on six of them. Overall, the Vikings were able to get pressure on 17 of the Rams' 41 passing plays. That's pretty good, but there is still room for improvement there. We'll see if coach Mike Zimmer decides to be more aggressive against Tom Brady and the Patriots.