Teddy Bridgewater Is Key To Minnesota Vikings Win Over Carolina Panthers
For much of the season, Minnesota Vikings rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater has struggled mightily. Thanks in large part to a brutal offensive line and mediocre receivers, Bridgewater was either hitting the deck or throwing interceptions on nearly every drive. While his o-line is still awful and his receivers are still not very good, Bridgewater has started to make some adjustments recently and it’s showing on the field.
Over the past four games, Bridgewater has thrown five touchdowns with just two interceptions and 877 yards passing. He has also added 13 rushes for 57 yards on the ground in that span. These numbers are not other-worldly by any means, but they do show an improvement over the beginning of the season. In his previous four games before that, he threw for only 812 passing yards with just one touchdown and five interceptions.
Among other things, Bridgewater is moving around a bit more in order to buy himself some time to find open receivers. Perhaps the most important thing for Bridgewater is that he has finally found a go-to receiver he can rely on. In recent weeks, he has hooked up with WR Charles Johnson early and often. In his past two games, Johnson has been targeted 18 times with nine catches for 139 yards and a touchdown.
As for why Bridgewater is crucial against the Carolina Panthers, they have struggled mightily to stop opposing quarterbacks this year. Their defense ranks 26th in the NFL against the pass this year, having allowed 20 touchdown passes on the season so far. The Panthers also rank 18th (tied with four other teams) in the league in sacks with 23. That combination could play to Bridgewater’s advantage given his shaky offensive line. If he can play well this week, it will go a long way toward the Vikings getting a win.
Will Gellman is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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