Souhan: Attention turned to 'Teddy Tranquil'

They chanted his name before the game, and as he jogged onto the field.

They chanted his name when he produced touchdowns, and when he limped off.

They chanted his name while he rode on a cart with his ankle taped, and when he returned to wrap a towel around his neck on the sideline.

For an afternoon, no one was thinking of the Minnesota Vikings as the team whose free agent got shot in a bar, or whose star player is benched for beating his child.

For an afternoon, this was Teddy Bridgewater's team. If Sunday proves prophetic, this will remain his team for a long time.

No Viking has heard his named chanted this loudly since the popular refrain of "Fire Childress."

In his first NFL start, Bridgewater threw for 317 yards and ran for a touchdown while leading the Vikings to a 41-28 upset victory over Atlanta at TCF Bank Stadium, becoming the fourth quarterback since 1980 to throw for 300 yards and win his debut.

Only an ankle injury that kept him from finishing the fourth quarter tainted his debut. "He's going to get an MRI," coach Mike Zimmer said with a smile. "But I told him he's fine."

Bridgewater's success can be qualified. The Vikings unveiled a powerhouse running game against a woeful defensive front. He was throwing to wide-open receivers. He will have to prove himself under more duress to become a star.

He already passes the eye test. He's one of those quarterbacks who makes the game look simple, who makes those around him better, which is why Jarius Wright and Jerick McKinnon earned their first career 100-yard games on the same day.

Sunday, Bridgewater earned the praise that his teammates and coaches were willing to offer him prematurely.

"I knew he was going to be great when we were in practice this summer, in shells," Wright said.

"I knew when he beat Florida in college," McKinnon said. "He was getting beat up, and he beat a high-ranking team and a great defense, and looked cool doing it."

"He's an amazing kid," Zimmer said. "I'm just glad he's on my team."

Quick as a McKinnon cut, the Vikings have pivoted from the worst story in society, child abuse, to the best story in football — the arrival and growth of a charismatic quarterback.

"He's just a great player," Wright said. "Not only throwing the ball, but Teddy knows exactly where to go with the ball. He's so accurate, he just hits you in stride. And he knows where not to throw the ball. Hey, he's Teddy Two Gloves."

What Bridgewater doesn't know about quarterbacking in the NFL, he'll learn this week. He'll have to prepare for a game on Thursday night in Lambeau Field while rehabilitating what at the least is a painful ankle sprain.

"It was great to get that first win, of what looks to be many more," Bridgewater said.

"He's just too calm under pressure," said receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. "I mean, too calm."

Now, about that "Teddy Two Gloves" nickname.

With apologies to Patterson, Teddy Too Calm doesn't cut it.

Teddy Ballgame was taken long ago by the great Ted Williams.

Teddy Transformer sounds like a lousy movie.

Teddy Tranquil?

It doesn't qualify as poetry, but Sunday it did fit Bridgewater like a glove, on either hand.

Jim Souhan can be heard weekdays at noon and Sundays from 10 to noon on 1500 ESPN. @SouhanStrib • jsouhan@startribune.com