MINNEAPOLIS -- A disconnect seems to have developed between Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.
Patterson, the second-year receiver, was mostly an afterthought on offense in Minnesota's 31-13 win against the Carolina Panthers. Patterson didn't have a catch or rushing attempt and was targeted once in his limited snaps. Patterson was back for all of the Vikings' kickoff returns, getting one chance and returning it 28 yards.
After the game, Patterson and Zimmer offered curious comments about the role of the receiver who was expected to take a big leap in his second NFL season after being a first-round draft pick in 2013 and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl as a rookie returner.
"I really can't comment on it," Patterson said. "The things I need to say, it's not going to be said. You've got to talk to coach Zimmer about that. Whatever coach Zimmer and the offensive coordinator do, that's their decision, and I stand behind them."
Zimmer said the small usage of Patterson in Sunday's game wasn't disciplinary, though the coach did say Patterson missed a couple of days of practice to attend a funeral last week.
"I really like Cordarrelle," Zimmer said. "I like the kid. I think he's going to be a good player. But he continues to deal with things, so that was just part of it."
Patterson has dealt with injuries, a lack of cohesiveness with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and is playing in his fourth offensive system in as many seasons.
Minnesota has also seen the emergence of Charles Johnson, who plays the same position as Patterson. Johnson led the Vikings in receiving last week and had two catches for 41 yards Sunday.
"He's really starting to do a lot of better things in practice, so we've just got to keep going there," Zimmer said. "I think Charles Johnson is doing a good job, and they're playing the same position. Charles is doing some good things. It's just continually -- first of all, you've got to be at practice, and then you've got to do stuff when you're there."
Patterson was listed on the injury report last week missing Wednesday and Thursday's practices, but the reason listed was the knee injury he's been dealing with.
The receiver said he's healthy and he wasn't taken completely out of Sunday's game.
"I'm good, man," Patterson said. "I feel like I'm 100 percent. I feel like the coaches didn't feel like I was 100 percent, so they just side me out. I respect them for that."
Patterson was asked what he has to improve to become a bigger part of the offense.
"I really don't know," Patterson said. "I'm just playing my role, man, just doing what they say to do. They tell me I'm not playing this week, and I can't even really complain about it. That's what they want. What they say is going to go."
Patterson's lone target was at the start of the third quarter. Bridgewater threw a receiver screen, but Patterson's defender broke through the block to stop the play.
Asked if he needs to show the coaches something in particular, Patterson appeared puzzled.
"I really don't know," Patterson said. "You've got to ask them that. When you find out, let me know."
Bridgewater and a fast start: Bridgewater and Minnesota's offense got the quick start it was hoping for. Bridgewater led a touchdown drive on the opening possession and the Vikings scored on two touchdown drives in the first half in opening a 28-6 lead.
Bridgewater was efficient in leading the quick-starting offense.
Minnesota used some quicker passes to get Bridgewater in rhythm early. Bridgewater completed his first five passes and was 9 of 12 in the first half, passing for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
"I think he's getting more confident about moving in the pocket," Zimmer said. "He buys a bit more time. But I think his confidence really showed on that third-and-2. It's third-and-2, and he's throwing the ball down the field and puts the ball on the money. He had the right look. There was a couple times he had the right look defensively and went to the right place even though it wasn't the safest throw.
"I think those kind of things are the things that I'm talking about when I see his progression and the way he's getting better."
Bridgewater finished the game completing 15 of his 21 passes for 138 yards. Bridgewater has now thrown for two touchdowns in back-to-back games, and he avoided turnovers Sunday.
"I think I'm better at just making quicker decisions," Bridgewater said. "Earlier in the year I talked about getting rid of the ball faster. That wasn't the issue. I think I just made quicker decisions and if I'm able to make quicker decisions, I'm able to get the ball out faster."
Greg Jennings lead the Vikings with six targets and five receptions for 45 yards and he finished a short pass for a touchdown by making a quick inside cut to beat a defender and then running outside to the end zone.
"Teddy Bridgewater definitely took a step today," Jennings said. "It's a growing process; every week, you want to see guys get better. Every week, you want to see your team stepping towards success and taking a step in the right direction, and today, that's what took place. It starts with him.
"Obviously, he's going to get a lot of the brunt of everything because he's in the high-profile position, but the way he bounced back, the he performs, the way he leads without even audibly saying anything, he's a special kid to be around."
Dealing with the cold: Sunday's game was the seventh-coldest home game in Vikings' history. Minnesota has tried to get used to the cold weather now that it's been forced outside at TCF Bank Stadium for the next two seasons.
Zimmer hasn't been able to get his team outside practicing in the elements, but he was pleased with the way his team responded to the cold for Sunday's game, which was officially 12 degrees at kickoff.
"I think we handled it (well)," Zimmer said. "I thought we, for the most part, caught the ball well and took care of the ball. I think part of it's about the mindset."
The Vikings did switch to the north sideline this season in the move to TCF Bank Stadium. Sunday the move paid off. Minnesota was in the sun the entire game, while Carolina was in the shade.
The weather was a factor.
"It was freezing man," defensive end Everson Griffen said. "I couldn't feel my hands in that first half. They were rock solid. You can have on all the warm gear you want, but at the end of the day, if it's cold, it's cold."
Jennings had played in cold temperatures during his time in Green Bay. He had a message for his teammates.
"I told the guys, man, it's always a lot warmer when you win," Jennings said. "It's a lot warmer when you win, because you're excited, your adrenaline is rolling, you're jumping around. When you're losing in a game like this, that temperature, it kind of stings you and you almost want to quit."
Two defensive injuries: Minnesota did lose two key defensive players during the game to injury. Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and linebacker Anthony Barr didn't finish the game with injuries they were already dealing with.
Floyd played sparingly as he deals with a lingering knee injury. Floyd missed last week's game but was used mostly on third downs in the first half Sunday and had a sack.
Barr also has a knee injury. He was replaced by Gerald Hodges in the third quarter.
"Sharrif's (injury) is the same thing he had," Zimmer said. "I thought he did well in the first half then it tightened up on him. Anthony's been messing around with this little, nagging thing for a couple weeks. But he'll be fine."
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