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NO |
MIN |
Bradford, Vikings cruise past Saints 29-19 in opener
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) 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 Monday night he can throw the ball down the field with the best of them.
Bradford started his second year with Minnesota in style, passing for 346 yards and three touchdowns to help the Vikings beat New Orleans 29-19 and spoil Adrian Peterson's first game with the Saints.
''When I've got time to sit back there and kind of evaluate things, I've got all the confidence in the world that our guys outside are going to win,'' Bradford said.
Stefon Diggs had seven receptions for 93 yards, two for scores and all in the first half, and Adam Thielen racked up 157 yards on nine catches as Bradford carved up a Saints defense that looked again like one of the worst in the league despite a major renovation. Rookie Dalvin Cook rushed for 127 yards on 22 carries in the formal takeover from Peterson.
Peterson was limited to 18 yards on six carries, in a time share with Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara and an afterthought once the Saints fell behind. Drew Brees was quiet, too, with 291 yards on 27-for-37 passing padded by the late push to catch up.
''We didn't do anything different or try to out-trick them,'' Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr said. ''You know, line up and play, do your job.''
Coby Fleener caught the only touchdown toss, after the 2-minute warning. Will Lutz made four field goals, three under 25 yards.
''The bottom line,'' Brees said, ''is you've got to score touchdowns.''
Brees and Bradford are both in the final year of their contracts, with the same agent, Tom Condon, who is sure to cash in on both clients. Brees has by far the better resume, nine seasons further into his career, but Bradford stole the show on this prime-time stage.
Behind mostly clean pockets created by a remade offensive line, Bradford completed 27 of 32 passes without a turnover. With three rookies and three free agents in the starting lineup, the Saints tried hard to better a defense that has held Brees and company back since the Super Bowl title eight years ago. The first performance left a lot to be desired, with Diggs and Thielen consistently finding favorable matchups underneath and along the sideline.
''I just try to run a route, catch the pass, but Sam, you know, he's a slinger,'' Diggs said.
FLAGS FLY
The Saints had three unnecessary roughness calls in the first half. Two of the personal fouls extended a drive that ended with one of three field goals by Kai Forbath. The other 15-yarder was on safety Kenny Vaccaro for head-hunting Diggs during an acrobatic catch in the closing seconds of the first half. Diggs came right back with another highlight-reel grab to give the Vikings a 16-6 lead at the break after a 10-play, 95-yard drive.
Cameron Jordan and A.J. Klein each had their hands on a tipped pass in the end zone that fluttered off Cook's hands, missing a critical opportunity to thwart that drive and keep the deficit at four points.
DECENT DEBUT
Cook became the first Vikings rookie running back to start a season opener since Michael Bennett in 2001. Despite trouble hanging onto a couple of passes thrown his way, he helped salt away the game in the second half. Bradford and Cook were the primary beneficiaries of the work done by an offensive line with four new starters and plenty of old external skepticism after a lackluster 2016 performance.
''In the building, we felt great about those guys,'' Bradford said. ''We've seen what we're capable of doing.''
BACK AGAIN
Ten years and two days after Peterson made his NFL debut in purple with 103 yards rushing and a 60-yard touchdown reception on this same block of downtown Minneapolis, albeit in a different stadium, he returned in black, white and gold as a part-time player for the pass-first Saints.
The crowd was really fired up for the reunion with another former Vikings great. Former wide receiver Randy Moss, already on site as an analyst for ESPN, became the 22nd member of the team's Ring of Honor in a halftime ceremony punctuated by a passionate speech and shout-out to the fans.
TACKLE TROUBLE
With Terron Armstead still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, rookie Ryan Ramczyk started at left tackle for the Saints. Then right tackle Zach Strief injured his left leg in the second quarter, forcing Senio Kelemete into action. Vikings defensive ends Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter caused havoc.
UP NEXT
The Saints play Sunday against New England, their only home game in the season's first five weeks.
The Vikings visit Pittsburgh on Sunday, their only road game over the first four weeks of the schedule.
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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
D. Brees
9 QB 291 PaYds, PaTD |
17
FPTS
|
|
S. Bradford
9 QB 346 PaYds, 3 PaTDs, -3 RuYds |
31
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
D. BreesĀ
9 QB
17 FPTS
|
D. Brees | 27/37 | 291 | 1 | 0 | 17 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. KamaraĀ
41 RB
3 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 7 | 18 | 0 | 5 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. PetersonĀ
28 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. Peterson | 6 | 18 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. IngramĀ
22 RB
6 FPTS
|
M. Ingram | 6 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. GinnĀ
19 WR
5 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. KuhnĀ
29 RB
0 FPTS
|
J. Kuhn | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. IngramĀ
22 RB
6 FPTS
|
M. Ingram | 5 | 5 | 54 | 0 | 18 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. FleenerĀ
82 TE
11 FPTS
|
C. Fleener | 6 | 5 | 54 | 1 | 24 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. GinnĀ
19 WR
5 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 5 | 4 | 53 | 0 | 27 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. LewisĀ
11 WR
5 FPTS
|
T. Lewis | 3 | 2 | 52 | 0 | 52 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. ThomasĀ
13 WR
4 FPTS
|
M. Thomas | 8 | 5 | 45 | 0 | 14 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. KamaraĀ
41 RB
3 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 6 | 4 | 20 | 0 | 15 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. ColemanĀ
16 WR
1 FPTS
|
B. Coleman | 3 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. PetersonĀ
28 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. Peterson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
A. KleinĀ
53 LB
|
A. Klein | 8-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. VaccaroĀ
32 SS
|
K. Vaccaro | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. LattimoreĀ
23 CB
|
M. Lattimore | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. WilliamsĀ
26 CB
|
P. Williams | 4-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Te'oĀ
51 LB
|
M. Te'o | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. OkaforĀ
57 DE
|
A. Okafor | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. WilliamsĀ
43 SAF
|
M. Williams | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HarrisĀ
21 CB
|
D. Harris | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. RobertsonĀ
52 OLB
|
C. Robertson | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. EdmundsĀ
33 RB
|
T. Edmunds | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. OnyemataĀ
93 DT
|
D. Onyemata | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. AnzaloneĀ
47 LB
|
A. Anzalone | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BanjoĀ
31 CB
|
C. Banjo | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JordanĀ
94 DE
|
C. Jordan | 2-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. RankinsĀ
98 DT
|
S. Rankins | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisonĀ
95 DT
|
T. Davison | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
W. LutzĀ
3 K
0 FPTS
|
W. Lutz | 4/4 | 43 | 1/1 | 13 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. MorsteadĀ
6 P
|
T. Morstead | 3 | 57.0 | 1 | 68 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. KamaraĀ
41 RB
3 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 1 | 26.0 | 26 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. EdmundsĀ
33 RB
0 FPTS
|
T. Edmunds | 1 | 22.0 | 22 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. KuhnĀ
29 RB
0 FPTS
|
J. Kuhn | 1 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. GinnĀ 19 WR
5 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
S. BradfordĀ
8 QB
31 FPTS
|
S. Bradford | 27/32 | 346 | 3 | 0 | 31 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. CookĀ
33 RB
13 FPTS
|
D. Cook | 22 | 127 | 0 | 33 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. MurrayĀ
25 RB
0 FPTS
|
L. Murray | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McKinnonĀ
21 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. McKinnon | 3 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. BradfordĀ
8 QB
31 FPTS
|
S. Bradford | 2 | -3 | 0 | -1 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. DiggsĀ
14 WR
21 FPTS
|
S. Diggs | 1 | -6 | 0 | -6 | 21 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. ThielenĀ
19 WR
15 FPTS
|
A. Thielen | 10 | 9 | 157 | 0 | 44 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. DiggsĀ
14 WR
21 FPTS
|
S. Diggs | 8 | 7 | 93 | 2 | 30 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McKinnonĀ
21 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. McKinnon | 3 | 3 | 32 | 0 | 25 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. RudolphĀ
82 TE
8 FPTS
|
K. Rudolph | 3 | 3 | 26 | 1 | 15 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WrightĀ
17 WR
2 FPTS
|
J. Wright | 2 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. CookĀ
33 RB
13 FPTS
|
D. Cook | 5 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. TreadwellĀ
11 WR
0 FPTS
|
L. Treadwell | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
T. WaynesĀ
26 CB
|
T. Waynes | 9-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BarrĀ
55 OLB
|
A. Barr | 3-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. SendejoĀ
34 SS
|
A. Sendejo | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. SmithĀ
22 FS
|
H. Smith | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. KendricksĀ
54 MLB
|
E. Kendricks | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. RhodesĀ
29 CB
|
X. Rhodes | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. GriffenĀ
97 DE
|
E. Griffen | 3-3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. NewmanĀ
23 CB
|
T. Newman | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. HamĀ
30 RB
|
C. Ham | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. GedeonĀ
42 ILB
|
B. Gedeon | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. JosephĀ
98 DT
|
L. Joseph | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. KearseĀ
27 SS
|
J. Kearse | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. SherelsĀ
35 CB
|
M. Sherels | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HunterĀ
99 DE
|
D. Hunter | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. StephenĀ
93 DT
|
S. Stephen | 0-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. JohnsonĀ
92 DT
|
T. Johnson | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
K. ForbathĀ
2 K
0 FPTS
|
K. Forbath | 3/3 | 45 | 2/3 | 11 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
R. QuigleyĀ
4 P
|
R. Quigley | 2 | 43.5 | 1 | 52 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. McKinnonĀ
21 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. McKinnon | 4 | 27.0 | 39 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. SherelsĀ 35 CB
0 FPTS
|
M. Sherels | 2 | 5.5 | 13 | 0 |