Patterson shines out of backfield, Vikings whip Rams 34-6 in Zimmer's debut

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings, left, celebrates as he runs past St. Louis Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree, center, and strong safety T.J. McDonald after catching an 8-yard touchdown pass during the second quarter an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) (The Associated Press)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings, right, catches an 8-yard touchdown pass as St. Louis Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines defends during the second quarter an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam) (The Associated Press)

ST. LOUIS – Wide receiver Cordarelle Patterson ran for 102 yards on three carries with a 67-yard scoring run off a simple pitchout and the Minnesota Vikings shut down the St. Louis Rams 34-6 on Sunday, opening impressively under new coach Mike Zimmer.

The Rams handled Adrian Peterson, limiting the All-Pro to 75 yards on 21 carries. They had zero luck with Patterson, who had three touchdowns rushing as a rookie.

Rams quarterback Shaun Hill lasted one half as the stand-in starter for Sam Bradford, missing the rest of the game with a thigh injury and leaving untested Austin Davis in charge. Hill's last pass was intercepted by Josh Robinson with 1:09 to go in the half, setting up Matt Cassel's 8-yard pass to Greg Jennings for a 13-0 lead.