Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who’s set to make his first NFL start against the Falcons will be on the hot seat Sunday.
Bridgewater, the 32nd (and last) player taken in the first round of the NFL draft, was pressed into duty after starter Matt Cassel suffered a season-ending broken foot against New Orleans.
Bridgewater came on and completed 12 of 20 passes for 150 yards and had a passer rating of 83.3 in the 20-9 loss.
“He’s going to be excited this week,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said. “But once you get out there and start playing, you settle down. It’s the same game that you’ve always played.”
The Vikings like Bridgewater’s approach to the game.
“He’s a very composed individual,” Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer said. “Last week against New Orleans, that’s not the easiest place to go into when you’re down 13 on the road in the Superdome. He was extremely composed.”
Bridgewater will not have the benefit of playing with perhaps the game’s top running back. Adrian Peterson was placed on the exempt/commissioners list because he was indicted on child-abuse charges.
“We are all handling it in a great way,” Bridgewater said. “Throughout the season, you’re going to have to overcome obstacles and you’re going to have adversity. I think the guys have been doing a great job of trying to overcome the adversity that has presented itself.”
Bridgewater, who did make a start during the exhibition season, had a chance to check out the Falcons’ defense.
“I was able to catch them on Thursday night football,” Bridgewater said. “They have a high-intensity defense. They have guys that fly around and they are just shutting down wide receivers.”
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