Minnesota Vikings

Vikings Snap Counts: Patterson gets involved on offense

Published Oct. 5, 2016 10:45 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Minnesota Vikings rolled to 4-0 with a 24-10 win over the New York Giants on Monday night, as their offense continued to evolve.

After funneling the ball to wide receiver Stefon Diggs and tight end Kyle Rudolph in his first two starts, quarterback Sam Bradford got the rest of the Vikings' passing attack involved against the Giants.

Wide receivers Cordarrelle Patterson and Charles Johnson were targeted often, while Xavier Rhodes and Terence Newman locked things down in the secondary.

Check out the Vikings' offensive and defensive snaps below, followed by a breakdown of some of the notable numbers from Week 4.

GAME 4: GIANTS (OFFENSE)

GAME 4: GIANTS (DEFENSE)

NOTES

-- Patterson's 36 offensive snaps in Week 4 were his most in a single game since Week 9 in 2014. He made good on the increased usage, registering five catches on six targets for 38 receiving yards, his best performance as a receiver since Week 10 of that season.

-- Jerick McKinnon has been a big part of the Vikings' offense, and his usage appears to have stabilized since the loss of Adrian Peterson. McKinnon has dominated the backfield over the last two games, operating in a feature role with 18 carries against the Giants.

-- Bradford completed passes to nine receivers, including three tight ends, as MyCole Pruitt saw his first snaps of the season.

-- Diggs' usage and catch rate have remained consistent even if his yardage has suffered a bit. Bradford targeted Diggs seven times against the Giants, mimicking his usage in Week 3.

-- Matt Asiata has six carries in each of his last three games while functioning primarily as a goal-line and short-yardage back.

-- Johnson saw his usage cut in half in Week 4, but he and Bradford appeared to be on the same page after three weeks of nearly nonexistent production. Johnson was targeted four times, all on deep routes, hauling in two receptions, one for 30 yards and the other for 40 yards. Both catches led to scores for the Vikings, a field goal and a touchdown.

-- T.J. Clemmings held up well in his second game at left tackle. The Giants didn't manage a sack on Monday, while the unit opened plenty of holes for McKinnon.

-- Rhodes matched up primarily with Giants star Odell Beckham Jr., holding him to just three catches and 23 yards. Zimmer indicated to reporters on Tuesday that he intends to use Rhodes on both sides of the field unlike some of the league's top corners.

-- Newman continues to turn back the clock, keeping up with Beckham on Monday and starting opposite Rhodes. It will likely take another injury to Rhodes or Newman to get second-year corner Trae Waynes involved again.

Dave Heller is the author of the upcoming book Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow as well as Facing Ted Williams Players from the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns