Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has carried the offense lacking stability at, well, every position, according to offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

The Vikings have used eight different offensive linemen, started three different tight ends and running backs while their most consistent receiver was a guy that started the season on the Browns practice squad — Charles Johnson.

Turner prefers not to throw a rookie quarterback into this environment, but he feels Bridgewater has thrived even with the heavy burden.

"It's pretty incredible to me what he's done, how he's handled it," Turner said. "What he's really done is made everyone around him better and that's a quality you're looking for.

"We're asking him to carry this group, which I've never had to do that with a young guy. When I had [Troy] Aikman in his third year he had Emmitt Smith who led the league in rushing. When I had Alex Smith in his second year he had Frank Gore who ran for 1,700 yards and when I had Philip Rivers in his second year starting, I think it was his fourth year in the league, he had LaDainian Tomlinson who led the league in rushing."

Bridgewater would've had running back Adrian Peterson, but he's suspended for the remainder of the season. Instead, Bridgewater has had to rely on Matt Asiata, Ben Tate and Joe Banyard to help ease the load, which hasn't been as effective as one of the best running backs in the NFL.

Still, the Vikings threw the ball 41 times against one of the top defenses in the NFL and completed a season high 75.6 percent of his passes. His start was marked by two interceptions on consecutive drives that helped the Lions climb out of a 14-0 deficit, but Turner defended the performance despite the turnovers.

"We've kind of had an interesting group and the people we've played on offense has been wide-ranging," Turner said. "To do the things he's done, it just tells you about the type of person he is, the type of player he is. The thing that excites me is he can make any throw you need him to make."