How Norv Turner and the Vikings Helped Teddy Bridgewater Explode in First Start
Not enough credit is being assigned to Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner for the breakout performance provided by rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
In his first-ever NFL start, Bridgewater calmly completed 19 of 30 passes for 317 yards, and the Vikings offense lit up the scoreboard for 41 points in a 13-point win. But the rookie quarterback's job was made considerably easier by the impressive game designed and called by Turner and by the execution of all those around the quarterback position.
Nothing meant against Bridgewater. The Vikings couldn't have asked for a more impressive first start by the 32nd overall pick in last May's draft. Bridgewater again showed off his mobility (he rushed five times for 27 yards and a touchdown and did not take a sack), poise and pocket presence, the same encouraging traits he displayed during his first NFL action against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
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| T. Bridgewater | 19/30 | 317 | 10.6 | 0/0 | 98.9 |
| T. Bridgewater | 5 | 27 | 5.4 | 13 | 1 |
The clearest difference between Sunday's win over the Falcons and Week 3's loss to the Saints was the ability of Turner to put in a game plan specifically suited for Bridgewater.
The more traditional offense put in place for former starting quarterback Matt Cassel was scraped, replaced by a zone-read heavy package that was heavily reliant on causing confusion and allowing Bridgewater to consistently go to his first read—which was almost always wide open. The result was a surprising lack of difficult throws needed from Bridgewater. He put up Aaron Rodgers-like numbers by simply managing the game, which is the ultimate testament to how creative Turner was in establishing the plan.
The term "game manager" is often tagged as a negative label. But Sunday was Exhibit A for how a quarterback's job can be simplified and an offense can still be extremely productive.
Against the Falcons, Bridgewater completed 11 passes of 15 or more yards. A quick glance at that stat screams the opposite of "game manager." But let's take a look at those 11 plays, one by one, to find out how they happened.
No. 1: Bridgewater to Jarius Wright, 52 yards
On 3rd-and-7 on the opening drive, Turner dialed up a simple bubble screen to Wright, who made the catch, turned up field (with good blocking in front of him) and raced 52 yards. All Bridgewater needed to do was pivot to his right and throw the screen.
No. 2: Bridgewater to Greg Jennings, 29 yards
On Minnesota's second drive, Bridgewater received a dream matchup: Jennings vs. Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann in the slot. The result was exactly what you'd expect. After using quick play-action, Bridgewater simply threw the shallow post behind Biermann, who was beat badly on the inside by Jennings. The catch-and-run was good for 29 yards.
No. 3: Bridgewater to Rhett Ellison, 19 yards
More great play design got the Vikings' fourth drive in motion. A play-action fake off the zone-read drew both linebackers in, leaving Ellison to leak out into the flat undetected. A receiver really can't be any more wide open:
No. 4: Bridgewater to Wright, 21 yards
Three plays later, the Vikings converted on third down thanks to perfect protection up front and the speed of Wright to gain separation across the field. Minnesota kept six in to block, which gave Bridgewater more than enough time to sit and wait for Wright to flash wide open after finishing his drag route. Easy throw.
No. 5: Bridgewater to Jerick McKinnon, 17 yards
The Vikings have found themselves a weapon in their third-round running back. Using the hurry-up offense late in the first half, Turner spread the field with three receivers and a tight end. With the four targets running vertical routes, McKinnon was able to sneak underneath on a short angle route. Bridgewater made the simple throw and the ultra-athletic McKinnon darted down field for 17.
No. 6: Bridgewater to Wright, 25 yards
The Vikings received another mismatch just one play later. The Falcons' zone defense left 265-pound defensive end Stansly Maponga attempting to follow the speedy Wright across the formation on a shallow drag route. All Bridgewater had to do was hit Wright in stride, and it was off to the races. Gaining 25 yards doesn't get much easier in the NFL.
No. 7: Bridgewater to Chase Ford, 17 yards
This might have been Bridgewater's most impressive throw of the first half, and you likely don't remember it. The Falcons again played zone, while the Vikings sent out Ford as the lone receiver to the left of the formation. No matter, Bridgewater still delivered a frozen rope just as Ford sat down in the soft spot of the zone. The throw was perfectly read and well-timed.
No. 8: Bridgewater to Cordarrelle Patterson, 16 yards
The Vikings slaughtered the Falcons on package plays off the zone-read. On the first drive of the second half, Bridgewater executed a fake off the zone-read and found Patterson wide open behind the coverage, which crashed down against the fake. It was simple pitch-and-catch at that point.
No. 9: Bridgewater to Jennings, 29 yards
Another zone-read gave the Vikings a soft coverage to attack. Of course, it helped that the Minnesota offensive line picked up a Falcons blitz and allowed Bridgewater to climb the pocket—which he does so well—and deliver downfield. Once Bridgewater cleared his target window in the pocket, Jennings was wide open after a perfectly run deep out.
No. 10: Bridgewater to Patterson, 22 yards
One play later, a more traditional play-action fake still worked to clear out the linebacker and provide a clean throwing lane. Bridgewater was able to stand tall in the pocket and deliver to Patterson, who was running open over the middle of the field.
No. 11: Bridgewater to Wright, 15 yards
One final zone-read fake provided Bridgewater another clear target window to hit Wright on a slant. Bleacher Report's Matt Bowen broke down the play in detail here:
These 11 plays accounted for 262 of Bridgewater's 317 passing yards (a 12th play would have been needed here had he hit an open Wright deep down the left sideline in the second half). And in reality, he wasn't asked to make a single throw where he needed to get past his first progression or throw into a tight window. Again, that sounds like criticism of Bridgewater; in fact, it's the greatest compliment you could give to Turner.
Provided only a week of prep, the Vikings offensive coordinator was able to construct a game plan that allowed Bridgewater to attack downfield with very little asked of his rookie quarterback and with limited risk.
Overall, the success of the plan extended well past Bridgewater. The Vikings also rushed for 241 yards, including 135 from McKinnon and 78 from Matt Asiata. The Falcons simply couldn't stop the zone-read looks, regardless of whether the Vikings ran the football or executed the fake off the design.
When using play-action, Bridgewater completed eight of 12 passes for 139 yards and a passer rating of 105.9.
The Vikings receivers ultimately benefited with acres of space to work with on almost every dropback. Incredibly, Minnesota racked up 197—yes, 197—yards after the catch, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Do the math, and yards after the catch accounted for 62 percent of Minnesota's passing production against the Falcons. Wright led the way with 100 yards after the catch.
The Vikings offensive line also played its part. After struggling for stretches during the first three weeks, the group rebounded against the Falcons' undermanned pressure package. Bridgewater was under pressure on just eight of his 34 dropbacks.
Bottom line: Turner out-schemed Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, and the Vikings players—from the backs to the receivers to the offensive line—out-executed the Falcons' defensive players.
From there, it was easy pickings, even for a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start.
Without much doubt, Bridgewater provided as fine a starting debut as anyone could have predicted. But don't let Turner's ability to construct a perfect game plan get lost in the narrative.
Zach Kruse covers the NFC North for Bleacher Report.
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