Bradford leads Vikings over Saints in opener
MINNEAPOLIS — 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,” said Bradford.
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 defence 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 became 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,” said Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr. “You know, line up and play, do your job.”
Coby Fleener caught the only TD toss for New Orleans, after the two-minute warning.
Will Lutz made four field goals, three under 25 yards.
“The bottom line,” Brees said, “is you’ve got to score touchdowns.”
Bradford completed 27 of 32 passes without a turnover.