Monday 19 September 2016 14:22, UK
Sam Bradford made an impressive start to his career in Minnesota, throwing for 286 yards and two touchdowns as the Vikings beat their NFC North opponents Green Bay Packers. Stefon Diggs averaged over 20 yards from his 9 receptions, but there was concern for Adrian Peterson who limped off with a knee injury.
In 140 Characters...
Vikings christen new stadium with a win. Peterson limps off but Diggs dominates and Bradford proves he can be a number one quarterback.
MVP
Stefon Diggs was Bradford's favourite target, turning nine receptions into 182 yards and a touchdown. He is the first Viking to have an 150 yard game within his first two seasons, since Randy Moss in 1999.
Game-changer
From his own 15, Bradford finds Diggs with a 15 yard pass. The second year, fifth round pick gets 31 yards after the catch and the Vikings continue to move the chains, before Diggs finishes the move, breaking from coverage and reeling in a 25 yard pass to give Minnesota a 10 point lead. In an 86 yard, six play drive, Diggs contributed 71 of those yards.
Stat of the Night
73 - If you'd have asked any fantasy owners which quarterback they'd prefer in this match up, the overwhelming consus would have been Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers. But it was Bradford who posted 286 yards, 73 more than Rodgers. He also threw for two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
The game
It was a tough start for Bradford who marked his first game for Minnesota with an early sack. It got worse for the Vikings when, after being forced to punt, wide receiver Ty Montgomery blocked the kick, giving Rodgers great field position at the Minnesota 48.
A stream of errors made the job easier for Rodgers, Vikings veteran cornerback Terence Newman was flagged for pass interference, which moved the Packers to the opposition five yard line. Another Newman foul edged the offense closer, before Rodgers connected with wide receiver Jordy Nelson in space to collect the one yard touchdown and give Green Bay an early lead.
With five minutes gone in the second quarter, Bradford got his first touchdown as a Viking, connecting with Kyle Rudolph for the eight yard score. After starting the drive with a 1st and 20, the result seemed unlikely but crucial catches from Diggs and a fumble recovery from Adam Thielen helped Minnesota to a ten play, 54 yard drive.
It was Diggs again who put Minnesota in a scoring position, diving to catch a 44 yard throw and move the Vikings into field goal range. Blair Walsh duly obliged from 46 yards, to give the home side a 10-7 lead at the half.
A concerning moment for Vikings came in the third quarter when Adrian Peterson was supported off the field after injuring his right knee. Minnesota have already lost starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a knee injury for the season, and will be hoping that the five time all-pro can make it back to the field before long.
In the absence of Peterson, it fell to Diggs once again to lift the mood inside the Viking's new home. The second year wide receiver made a 46 yard run from his own 15 before catching a 25 yard pass in the end zone to extend the Vikings' lead to 17-7.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Rodgers scrambled for a 10 yard rushing touchdown to bring the score within 3, and it looked like the Packers had created a chance to steal the victory. However with less than two minutes on the clock, the veteran quarterback threw his first and only interception, cornerback Trae Waynes catching the pass intended for Davante Adams.
A pass interference foul on Demarious Randall moved the Vikings into Packers territory, and Bradford managed the clock to secure the win. It gives the Vikings an early advantage in the race for the NFC North division, and was an indication that Bradford can be more than just a stand in for Bridgewater.
