Teddy Bridgewater's hot start to the preseason (12-of-14 passing for 130 yards and a passer rating of 105.3 in two games) is generating publicity across the league.
NFL Media Columnist Adam Schein wrote that what was billed as the debut of Buccaneers rookie QB Jameis Winston on Saturday became **Bridgewater’s show**.
The Vikings signal caller came out in midseason form, completing seven of his eight passes for 86 yards. And for those who paid attention to the second-year pro's debut season, this can't count as a surprise. Teddy rocked steady in his rookie campaign — sans Adrian Peterson after Week 1 — improving as the season went along. Over the final five weeks of 2014, Bridgewater completed 72.1 percent of his passes and posted a 103.0 passer rating.
I think Bridgewater gets even more comfortable in Year 2 with fine offensive coordinator Norv Turner and enjoys a big season. As I wrote back in June, I think Mike Zimmer's Vikings can be akin to the Golden State Warriors. No, they're not going to win the Super Bowl, but these Vikes are young and exhilarating. I believe Minnesota, with Peterson back in the fold, is a playoff team.
Schein did caution about putting too much weight on preseason numbers, but NFL Media Fantasy Editor Marcas Grant and NFL Media Associate Fantasy Editor Matt Franciscovich both said Bridgewater has **impressed them the most** in this young slate of exhibitions.
Grant wrote:
The Vikings signal caller is 12-of-14 for 130 yards and while he hasn't thrown a touchdown, he also hasn't tossed an interception. More importantly, he's looked even more comfortable in the offense and was adept at spreading the ball around to a multitude of receivers. With Jameis Winston struggling on the other side, Bridgewater's performance was even more notable. But he's already put two quality games on the board and looks like he could challenge to be a top 10 quarterback in 2015.
Franciscovich noted "great, quick decisions on throws" that he's seen from Bridgewater and added:
Bridgewater's action thus far has been limited, but he's made the most of his reps and has shown efficiency, accuracy and poise as the Vikings field general. And remember that his success has come without Adrian Peterson stepping foot on the gridiron, so opposing defenses have yet to deal with that threat. If Teddy Two Gloves continues to consistently succeed the way he has, there is no doubt that he will up the fantasy value of his surrounding weapons (Mike Wallace, Charles Johnson, Jarius Wright, Kyle Rudolph, Peterson) and will force us to flirt with the idea of labeling him a QB1 when the regular season kicks off.
Quick Hitters
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press on the **number of carries** by Zach Line Saturday as it compares to number of totes by Vikings fullbacks in regular season games this decade.
Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune on the of Antone Exum's returns of turnovers as he **competes** for playing time.