The Minnesota Vikings have scored an average of 21 points per game through the first half of the season, ranking 23rd in the NFL.
The team ranks 30th in passing yards per game (188.9) and sixth in rushing yards per game (132.8).
However, the Vikings are currently atop the NFC North standings, tied with the Green Bay Packers.
While the offensive stats might lead some to conclude that the passing game needs to improve, offensive coordinator Norv Turner has been impressed with the play of second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
"We're 6-2, and to me, that's the evaluation that matters," Turner told the media during his weekly press conference. "I think Teddy's had a lot to do with that record. I think he's an opportunistic guy. I think he's making very few negative plays. He's not making plays that cost us games."
In fact, it's quite the opposite as Bridgewater has been a big factor in late-game rallies.
Down 17-15 at halftime at Detroit, Bridgewater rallied his team in the second half. On the opening possession of the third quarter, Bridgewater led the team on an 8-play, 78-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 36-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs.
Trailing by 7 at Chicago with 4:55 remaining, Bridgewater tied the game with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Diggs and then set up Blair Walsh for a game-winning field goal.
The Vikings also trailed 15-10 at halftime last week against the St. Louis Rams. On the second offensive possession, Bridgewater gave the Vikings the lead on a 6-yard TD run, which he capped with a successful two-point conversion scramble.
"In the most critical situations, when we've been behind, he's put together drives," Turner noted. "He's put together plays that have given us a chance to win. As coach (Mike Zimmer) says, we're still growing in the passing game."
That growth has been taking place over the course of the year. The Viking started the season with two road losses, before their current four-game winning streak.
"Our first two road games, we took seven sacks in both games," Turner said. "We struggled to protect, we struggled to get the ball out. There were a number of things. I think we learned from those games, and I think we're doing the things we need to do to win."
