The Vikings beat a team that started the game with its backup quarterback and was down to a third-stringer making his NFL debut at halftime. However, for a season-opener on the road under any circumstances, Sunday's 34-6 win at St. Louis was still encouraging for a rookie head coach taking over a team that went 0-7-1 on the road a year ago.

So while it's not time to start packing for Super Bowl XLIX, Vikings fans deserve to enjoy what was a well-coached and confidently played game against the league's best defensive front four.

Three reasons to be excited:

1, Last year's NFL-worst scoring defense (30.0) gave up the second-fewest points on opening day in team history. And the turning point of the game was an interception by beleaguered No. 3 cornerback Josh Robinson, whose interception gave the Vikings a short field and a touchdown to take a 13-3 lead right before the half.

2, Norv Turner produced as advertised as an offensive coordinator. His protection schemes helped protect Matt Cassel in a tough building to play in. Sure, there were some hiccups early on. But Turner isn't predictable, which is refreshing. His decision to throw the ball to Adrian Peterson in the red zone was a nice curve ball that led to a touchdown one play later.

3, Cassel didn't have big numbers, except for his 113.8 passer rating. He kept a steady demeanor when the Vikings went three-and-out with three penalties and botched a shotgun snap early on. With Turner and the defense performing well, Cassel could be the proverbial game manager that has quiet, but efficient games like he did today.

Three reasons to be nervous

1, Penalties. Way too many. Seven were accepted. But the Vikings didn't have to pay for it because the Rams had 13 for 121 yards.

2, The schedule. Now begins the Brady, Brees, Ryan, Rodgers, Stafford stretch of games for the Vikings.

3, Peterson will be fine. But as the offense evolves, his average per carry should improve. It was 3.6 today. Without his long of 17, his other 20 carries averaged fewer than three yards (2.9).