PATRICK REUSSE ON THE GAME
The Vikings' blowout in St. Louis came with this bonus: The Packers came out of Thursday's opener in Seattle overwhelmed and injured. The Bears managed to lose a home opener on Sunday against Buffalo … yup, Buffalo. The Lions have to wait until Monday night to start disappointing their fans for a 57th consecutive season.
All of this definitely made Mike Zimmer's Vikings the kings of the NFC North for a day. And it could be longer, because that's a mighty fine football formula — talented, tough and smart — when maintained.
MANO-A-MANO
Vikings OT Matt Kalil vs. Rams DE Robert Quinn
WHO WON?
Quinn had 19 sacks last season, but Kalil limited him to one quarterback hurry on Sunday, winning the battle.
PLAY OF THE GAME
'80 TRUCK'
The Vikings led 13-3 late in the third quarter when WR Cordarrelle Patterson (84) went in motion to become the I-back on first-and-10 from the Rams 33. Patterson took a toss from QB Matt Cassel (16) and continued right, where he got a string of blocks, including one by FB Matt Asiata (44) on Rams CB E.J. Gaines (33), then wove up the field for a 67-yard TD run.
THE QUOTE
"There's no way I can miss that hole."
— Cordarrelle Patterson
