Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater won his first NFL start with efficient passing, opportunistic running and no turnovers.
But Falcons coach Mike Smith said his team’s lackluster defense contributed to Bridgewater’s big day in the 41-28 victory.
“He’s a first-round draft pick for a reason, but we did not play well,” Smith said. “It was a lot about us sometimes and not about him. But my hat’s off to him. He executed and put the offense in the end zone.”
Bridgewater, the No. 32 overall selection in the draft, was 19-for-30 for 317 yards and also ran five times for 27 yards with a touchdown. During nine possessions before he left with an ankle injury, Bridgewater led the Vikings to four touchdowns, two field goals, and a two-point conversion.
Smith said Minnesota’s short passing game worked early because missed tackles by the Falcons led to extra yards. According to Pro Football Focus, 16 of Bridgewater’s 30 pass attempts traveled less than 10 yards through the air and three went longer than 20 yards.
Smith said the Vikings also committed extra blockers to help protect Bridgewater, who wasn’t sacked and was hit just once. Bridgewater escaped to make plays when defenders did get to him—that’s how he scored on a 13-yard run.
“They executed and we didn’t,” Smith said.
