OAKLAND, Calif. -- Two weeks ago in Chicago, the Minnesota Vikings' punt return unit sealed off the sideline for Marcus Sherels, who raced untouched to his first punt return touchdown since 2013. On Sunday against the Raiders, the Vikings' kick return unit did the same for Cordarrelle Patterson.
Maligned as a receiver and diffused so far this year as a kick returner, Patterson fielded a short kickoff, got a solid block from fullback Zach Line and sped down the left sideline for a 93-yard touchdown, putting the Vikings back in front after they had blown a 13-0 lead.