You might have noticed that Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater looked very much like a jittery rookie quarterback in the first half of Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Packers at TCF Bank Stadium.
His throws were sailing or bouncing or, in once case, being picked off and used to set up a Packers touchdown and a 14-7 lead. For the first half, Bridgewater completed 11 of 22 passes for 122 yards, one touchdown and one interception. In the second half, he completed 10 of 15 passes for 88 yards, one touchdown, a two-point conversion and no interceptions.
So, what gives about the slow starts, Teddy?
"Coming into this game, I wasn't able to play the first time we played the Green Bay Packers," said Bridgewater, referring to the 42-10 debacle he missed because of a sprained ankle back on Oct. 2. "I was trying to get a feel for this rivalry. Now I know what it's about.
"I was just very excited about being able to play the Green Bay Packers for the first time. I just have to settle down and remain poised and let the game come to me. We have a great group of guys here who will pull me to the side. Or [quarterbacks] Coach Scott Turner, who is on the sideline with me. He just tells me consistently throughout the game, 'You're going to have some ups and downs, but just keep fighting.'"
That's a long way around saying he was nervous to start the game.
