Minnesota spoils Peterson’s return
MINNEAPOLIS — Sam Bradford started his second season with Minnesota in style, passing for 346 yards and three touchdowns to help the Vikings beat New Orleans, 29-19, Monday night and spoil Adrian Peterson’s first game with the Saints.
Stefon Diggs had seven receptions for 93 yards, two for scores, 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.
Minnesota rookie Dalvin Cook rushed for 127 yards in the formal takeover from Peterson.
Peterson rushed for 18 yards on just six carries turning an emotional homecoming for the former Vikings star into an afterthought.
Drew Brees was quiet, too, with 291 yards on 27-for37 passing padded by the late push to catch up. Coby Fleener caught the only touchdown toss, after the 2- minute warning. Will Lutz made four field goals, three under 25 yards.
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.
There were three unnecessary roughness calls in the first half by the Saints. Two of the personal fouls aided a drive that ended with one of three field goals by Kai Forbath, who missed one extra point.
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 166 lead at the break.