Rookie Teddy Bridgewater made the most of his two quarters with the Minnesota second-string offense, leading the Vikings to a come-from-behind win.
With, as described by the Associated Press, fans chanting his name, Bridgewater engineered a pair of fourth-quarter scoring drives -- one that reclaimed the lead and the other that regained it for good with 18 seconds to play.
On the final drive, Bridgewater drove the offense 83 yards in seven plays, consuming a mere 53 seconds. He completed six of seven passes on the march, with four going to receiver Rodney Smith for 10, six, and 37 yards before capping the effort with a two-yard touchdown pass.
For the night, Bridgewater completed 16 of 20 passes for 177 yards and two scores.
After the 30-28 win, coach Mike Zimmer told reporters he’s not sure whether Bridgewater will get reps with the first-team offense in the Vikings’ third preseason game. If he doesn’t, Matt Cassel likely will be the Week One starter.
“I love Teddy Bridgewater,” Zimmer recently told USA Today. “I love him. I think he’s going to be tremendous. And I don’t know when.”
Even though Cassel may be the better choice in the short term, the fans will be clamoring for Bridgewater, especially if the team struggles under the veteran. With two seasons as tenants at the University of Minnesota’s open-air venue while the Vikings’ new stadium is being built, it makes plenty of sense to do everything possible to get the rookie ready for what will be his third season, when the Vikings christen their new home.