Casey Johnson
The Minnesota Vikings dirtied the birds (Falcons) on Sunday in a 41-28 offensive explosion, and it is easy to look at the quarterback position and see a huge reason for Minnesota’s success. So please everyone, cue the Simon & Garfunkel!
When you’re nearing, a real fast fall
When L’s are in your eyes, I’ll replace them all
Our center I’m behind, when times get tough
And a franchise quarterback has yet to be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
Teddy will score touchdowns
Like a bridge over troubled water
Maybe, someday Super Bowl bound
Ok, so please forgive my butchering of a classic song, but I couldn’t resist myself. How about that Teddy Bridgewater?! Could he really be Minnesota’s bridge over troubled water? And yes, I know the pun is obvious and not necessarily all that clever, but it was right there for the taking and someone had to do it.
For a town and a team that have been so desperate for positivity over the last three weeks or so, Teddy Bridgewater has given the Minnesota Vikings and their fans something to finally smile about. He’s like an oasis in a desert. He’s like Garth Brooks in today’s country music scene. He’s like soy ice cream in a cooler of dairy-filled frozen treats (if you’re a lactose intolerant). He is joy, promise, and hope.
Those feelings abounded even before Teddy B. took a snap on Sunday, as the Vikings fans at TCF Bank Stadium sang out “Teddy, Teddy, Teddy” chants even as they stood in line to get into the stadium. I’ve never been to a Vikings game where there was so much excitement prior to the game starting. There was a palpable rejuvenation coursing through the veins of the Minnesota faithful, and I imagine it was much how the fan base felt when Brett Favre, the Silver Fox himself, was set to play his first home game in purple.
Bridgewater expertly orchestrated the Vikings offense as Norv Turner pulled the strings and put together a masterpiece from his perch high above the sidelines. Don’t think the old man doesn’t still have the know how to mastermind a great offensive game plan, but it is funny how much smarter a coach looks when his quarterback is executing those play calls with precision. And Teddy B. did just that on his way to an extremely impressive starting debut in which he went 19 of 30 passing for 317 yards, rushed for 1 TD, consistently evaded pressure to avoid sacks and make plays, and did not turn the ball over at all.
I have now gushed about Teddy for numerous paragraphs, and that is probably a result of the fact that quarterback is the most important and visible position on an NFL football team and because Minnesota has been so starved for a long-term answer at that position. However, I want it to be known that I have not over-indulged so much on the Teddy Kool-Aid that I’m unable to see the important roles that a host of other young, lesser known and lesser appreciated Vikings played in securing Minnesota’s 41-28 victory over the Falcons.
The below are organized somewhat in the order in which they started to make a big impact on Sunday’s game.
Jarius Wright
The 3rd year wideout from Arkansas was rumored to be in danger of not making the team at some points during training camp, but he delivered his biggest game as a pro on Sunday with 8 catches for 132 yards. He was Bridgewater’s favorite target and proved to be a much needed weapon in the passing game for the Vikings who are struggling to get the ball to Cordarrelle Patterson through the air (Patterson has just 13 catches in Minnesota’s 4 games). Wright’s biggest play was his 52-yard reception on 3rd and 7 on Minnesota’s opening drive. Early on in Sunday’s game, that play demonstrated that Minnesota’s offense was going to be as dangerous as a shark with a frickin’ laser beam attached to its head.
Matt Asiata
In his 3rd NFL season, the back-up running back from Utah has now had two golden opportunities in the past two seasons to take over the starting running back position for Adrian Peterson. Asiata has proven to be like a fast food value menu item. He’s nothing spectacular, but at least you know what you’re going to get. He’ll fight for his 3 to 4 yards every play, and if you’re hoping for more than that, you’re going to be disappointed. Nonetheless, he has proven himself to be an effective goal line back, as evidenced by his three short TD runs on Sunday (his 2nd three TD game in the last two seasons).
Jerick McKinnon
The rookie out of Division I-AA Georgia Southern ate up the Falcons defense and left a bunch of bird bones behind like me at Buffalo Wild Wings. McKinnon rushed for an eye-popping 135 yards on just 18 carries, including a dynamic 55-yard carry. And all of that is from a guy who is supposed to still be learning the running back position. Watch out NFC North defenses as this kid gets a little more experience under his belt. He may be the Henry Rowengartner of the NFL this season. Sure he never slipped on a football and hurt his arm, but he still may succeed very unexpectedly for a young player (look up Henry Rowengartner if you must or, better yet, just watch Rookie of the Year)
Blair Walsh
Ok, most people familiar with the NFL and the Vikings are aware of how good Blair Walsh has been in his first couple of NFL seasons, but after missing a 49-yard field goal earlier in Sunday’s game, Walsh hit a monstrously huge 55-yard field goal to put the Vikings up by two possessions (10 points) with just 3:38 left in the game. This came after Bridgewater had gone out of the game and Christian Ponder came in without the green light to throw the ball. In fact, it was, most assuredly, a light as red as a baboon’s behind. Had Walsh not nailed that kick like it was Mr. Larson’s head and he was Happy Gilmore with a nail gun, Minnesota’s lead would have been in extreme peril, and I’m not exactly confident that Christian Ponder could’ve led them to a game-winning drive if the need would have existed.
The Vikings may be ravaged by injuries and scandal, but strangely enough, it seems like there’s as much positive buzz around this football team right now as there was at the beginning of the season. Minnesota’s fresh, young faces stepped into key roles on Sunday to help the Vikings to victory, and they’re going to all have to continue to play big parts if the Vikings are going to continue to have success.
Maybe with Bridgewater acting as Minnesota’s bridge over troubled water this collection of young, unsung, unheralded, largely unknown players can do something special this season. It’s certainly too early to tell, but thanks to Teddy, at least there is hope.
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