Vikings patch together backfield without Peterson

The first seven snaps of the Vikings' indefinite life without Adrian Peterson started so well that Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was clinging to that game-opening 80-yard touchdown drive long after the Patriots had wrapped up a 30-7 victory at TCF Bank Stadium.

Asked what the team's offensive identity will be with career backup Matt Asiata shouldering Peterson's considerable load for who knows how long, Patterson made his case for the Vikings being able to win games without their best player.

"You seen it on the first drive," he said. "You all was watching it just like we was watching it. The first drive, we went down and scored. It's not missing Adrian."

With Peterson deactivated and dealing with an indictment and possible suspension for reckless or negligent injury to his 4-year-old son, Asiata started and opened with a 5-yard carry. He also was stopped for no gain on second-and-1 but closed the drive with an untouched 25-yard catch and run, the first touchdown reception of his career.

"There's nothing we can do [about] Adrian," Patterson said. "We just have to get that mind-set. Twenty-eight [Peterson] probably ain't going to be here with us. So we just have to come in and do what we do best."

On that well-balanced drive, Cassel went 4-for-4 for 76 yards and a touchdown. The tight ends had three catches for 51 yards.

And after that?

Asiata finished with just 36 yards on 13 carries (2.8 yards per carry) with a long of 7 yards and tied for the team high with five catches for 48 yards. Afterward, he said he was just "picking up the slack" and that Peterson gave him a pep talk before the game.

"There's no pressure [on me]," Asiata said. "What can you do without Adrian? He is one of the best guys on the team. I don't know, man, you just got to move forward. It's business."

Coach Mike Zimmer said he didn't think the Vikings lost because of Peterson's absence. But he also didn't dodge the obvious when someone asked whether Peterson would have had an impact on the game from a "football standpoint."

"Well," he said, "if you took the best player off every team, it would have an impact. Yes, of course."

Indefinite life without Peterson could be helped if Cassel doesn't turn the ball over four times and give fans reason to chant the first name of rookie backup Teddy Bridgewater.

Especially if Peterson is still a spectator.