Following a particularly impressive rookie season, many expected Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to break out in his sophomore campaign. Though the young passer has been solid, he hasn't developed quite the way NFL analysts expected. He ranks sixth in the NFL in completion percentage (66.3), but just 32nd in passing yards per game (212), 27th in touchdowns (13) and 20th in passer rating (90.4). While some of that is by design (Adrian Peterson leads the NFL in rushing, after all), some of it is also due to Bridgewater's limitations as a passer.
It should come as no surprise then that the Vikings plan to keep Peterson as their offensive center.
"I don't particularly see us as a team that's going to be throwing the ball every play," head coach Mike Zimmer told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "That's just not who we are right now."
It's true that Bridgewater has played better of late. The second-year player tossed four touchdowns, ran for another and completed 85 percent of his passes Sunday in a win against the Chicago Bears. Both passing numbers were season highs. Even more impressive is Bridgewater's work on third downs, where he has completed 16-of-18 passes over the past two games. Still, the 30-year-old Peterson will continue to carry the heaviest load.
"We want to run the football," Zimmer continued. "And we want to be efficient throwing the ball."
Minnesota's defense ranks 13th in yards allowed per game (342.4) and eighth in points (19.4), so it's not as if they need Bridgewater to win them games by himself. But relying on a 30-year-old running back, even one as naturally talented as Peterson, carries some inherent risk. The ball-carrier is currently dealing with an ankle injury that, while not serious, is indicative of the nagging bumps and bruises that can accumulate over the course of a season. Zimmer better hope Peterson can stay fully healthy throughout the playoffs.
