Tough Teddy Bridgewater and Dynamic Rookie Duo Lead Vikings over Lions

A tough-as-nails performance from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and another huge day from rookies Stefon Diggs and Eric Kendricks powered the Minnesota Vikings past the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Ford Field. 

Bridgewater threw for over 300 yards with two touchdowns despite taking a beating, Diggs went over 100 yards receiving for the second straight game, and Kendricks registered three tackles for loss, including two sacks. The Vikings overcame early deficits of 14-3 and 17-6 to win, 28-19, improving to 4-2 and dropping the Lions to 1-6. 

Bridgewater put together what can only be considered his finest game of the 2015 season. 

Minnesota's second-year quarterback completed passes to 11 different receivers, hitting on 25 of 35 attempts while dodging pass-rushers for most of the afternoon. He went over 300 yards passing for the first time this season and the fourth time in his career. 

The Lions sacked Bridgewater four times and finished with 11 total quarterback hits, but it didn't matter. 

	Cmp/Att	Yards	TD/INT	Passer Rating
9/20 vs. DET	14/18	153	1/0	120.6
Sunday at DET	25/35	316	2/0	118.3
Totals	39/53	469	3/0	119.1

The Vikings scored on six of their first seven possessions, with the only miss coming on a fumbled exchange between Bridgewater and running back Adrian Peterson. Tight end Kyle Rudolph caught a one-yard touchdown pass off play action right before the half, and then Bridgewater put Minnesota in the lead for good when he found Diggs for his first professional touchdown in the third quarter. 

Overall, the Vikings finished with 425 yards of total offense. The final deficit would have been much greater had Minnesota done better than 1-of-4 in scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Kicker Blair Walsh instead made five field goals. 

Diggs continued his rise to stardom. 

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

After catching 13 passes for 216 yards in his first two NFL games, the Vikings' electric rookie receiver hauled in six more passes for 108 yards and a 36-yard score on Sunday. His touchdown was a thing of beauty, as Diggs put a double move on veteran cornerback Rashean Mathis and completed the play with a diving catch in the end zone. 

It might now be time to start seriously considering Diggs as this year's version of Odell Beckham Jr. 

The former Maryland star has back-to-back 100-yard receiving games. His three-game totals now sit at 19 catches, 324 yards and one score. If Diggs somehow keeps up the pace of his last three games over Minnesota's final 10 games, he'll finish with 82 catches and 1,404 yards.

Beckham—who missed the first four games of his rookie season in 2014—still managed to win Offensive Rookie of the Year after catching 91 passes for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns over his final 12 games. 

	Receptions	Yards	20+ Rec	TD
at DEN	6	87	3	0
vs. KC	7	129	3	0
at DET	6	108	2	1

Diggs probably won't average over 100 yards receiving over the final 10 games, but it's clear after his first three that he's a special talent. He makes plays at every level of the field, using incredible quicks and route-running ability beyond his years to terrorize the defense. 

Minnesota's rookie on the other side of the ball isn't so bad, either. 

Kendricks had another highlight day as the Vikings' starting middle linebacker. The second-round pick sacked Matthew Stafford twice and tackled running back Theo Riddick behind the line of scrimmage on a third-down play late in the game. 

Over his last three games, Kendricks has four sacks and five tackles for losses. 

The Vikings defense gave up touchdowns on Detroit's first two possessions but then clamped down. Minnesota sacked Stafford seven times and allowed just 106 yards over the Lions' six drives in the second half. Detroit punted on six of seven possessions after going up 14-3, and the Lions offense turned the ball over on downs on back-to-back drives to end the game. 

Stafford was sacked eight times and hit 21 times during Minnesota's two wins over the Lions this season. 

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Vikings won on the road inside the division for the first time under head coach Mike Zimmer. Minnesota is now 3-8 away from TCF Bank Stadium under the second-year coach. 

Bridgewater, the two playmaking rookies and a relentless defense made it happen.

The sophomore quarterback had a 118.9 passer rating, Diggs and Kendricks continued their push as the best rookies on their respective sides of the football and Zimmer's blitz-happy attack beat up Stafford for a second straight meeting. 

The Vikings are now 4-2 and in firm hold of second place in the NFC North. The division-leading Green Bay Packers (6-0) have a bye in Week 7. Minnesota will go back on the road to face the 2-4 Chicago Bears in Week 8.

Zach Kruse covers the Vikings for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @zachkruse2