EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.—As the Minnesota Vikings plunged into a second week of uncertainty at their most important position, quarterback Sam Bradford offered reasons to believe he'll return swiftly from a left-knee injury.
That's the hope at team headquarters and among the fan base, at least, following Sunday's 26-9 loss at Pittsburgh with backup Case Keenum forced into action.
MINNEAPOLIS—Sam Bradford set the NFL record for completion percentage for Minnesota last season—his accuracy aided by the volume of short passes under heavy pressure.
With protection from the rush, he showed last night he can throw the ball down the field with the best of them.
MINNEAPOLIS—Joey Gallo has made plenty of progress at the plate this season for the Texas Rangers.
Those home runs just keep going and going, too.
Gallo's latest massive homer was a three-run shot in the fourth inning last night that spurred the Rangers to a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins, making A.J. Griffin a winner in his first start in more than two months.
MINNEAPOLIS—After going deep twice in a game for the first time in his big-league career, Chris Gimenez still has more mop-up relief appearances this season than home runs.
Wait, maybe the Minnesota Twins have this whole thing backward with their back-up catcher.
MINNEAPOLIS—Never mind Jared Goff’s status as the first overall pick in the draft for L.A.
For now, with a lot left to learn, he’s the third-stringer.
Goff’s first start of the pre-season for the Rams featured two turnovers and one touchdown as the Minnesota reserve running backs led a 27-25 victory by the Vikings last night.
MINNEAPOLIS—Just one week ago, the Minnesota Wild were reeling from eight-straight losses and the firing of their head coach.
So the scene yesterday could not have been more surreal.
They beat their biggest rival by five goals in a football stadium filled with 50,426 giddy fans for a season-best four-game winning streak.
MINNEAPOLIS—Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks needed more than three quarters to warm up at Minnesota.
Then the Vikings kicked away their chance to beat the two-time defending NFC champs.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Mn.—The stakes were high enough the last time Minnesota played Green Bay that Vikings’ coach Mike Zimmer—one of the least-gimmicky guys in his profession—ordered clothing for the organization to commemorate the occasion.
The NFC North logo adorned the front of the all-black T-shirts.
Beat Green Bay was the message on the back.
MINNEAPOLIS—Teddy Bridgewater turned in a flawless performance yesterday afternoon—another sign that Minnesota’s franchise quarterback is on the right track.
The season has brought some struggles, but this is just what the Vikings envisioned for Bridgewater’s second year.
MINNEAPOLIS—The Green Bay Packers were in a funk, booed by their loyal fans the week before, and passed by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North.
But Aaron Rodgers and the Packers responded with a resolute victory—fending off the Vikings like Clay Matthews waving his finger after tackling Adrian Peterson for a loss.
