Vikings scramble for answers on how to protect Sam Bradford
PHILADELPHIA – Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was melancholy as he fielded questions at the podium following Sunday’s 21-10 loss, though he insisted his drab mood had nothing to do with his attitude toward the Philadelphia Eagles – “I don’t really have any bitter feelings.”
No, it wasn’t putting up an egg against the team that traded him just eight days before the season that had him feeling blue. Bradford said it was losing, period. And what an ugly defeat it was.
And perhaps it was the realization the Vikings, even at 5-1 and considered one of the top teams in the NFC, have a major problem along the offensive line.
“We need to do a better job (protecting Bradford),” said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. “We’re not going to go down the street and pick up a bunch of guys. We need to get these guys better and do it quickly. I’m disappointed that we allowed it to happen.”
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Bradford, who was acquired to replace the injured Teddy Bridgewater, admitted that he had less time than usual to throw Sunday. He was out of rhythm from the start and passed for just 224 yards on 24 of 41 with a 71.6 passer rating.
The injury-plagued offensive line (starting tackles Matt Kalil and Andre Smith are on injured reserve) couldn’t handle the Eagles’ aggressive and uncharacteristically blitz-happy defense, which harassed Bradford all afternoon and sacked him six times.
“We have to figure out a way,” said Bradford, who didn’t commit a turnover through five games but gave the ball away three times in the defeat. “It involves all of us. I’ve got to figure out a way to get it out quicker. We’ve got to do a better job with staying on guys. I think there are a lot of answers to that problem.”
The poor play up front was the main factor in the Vikes’ first loss of the season (they were the NFL’s lone undefeated team entering Week 7), and if Sunday is going to be an aberration, the line play will have to tighten – and fast.
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Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox was a disruptive force as he collapsed the pocket and made it nearly impossible for Bradford to step up and deliver strikes.
“I thought (Bradford) missed some throws today that he normally makes,” Zimmer said. “He got hit a lot so it’s hard to evaluate his performance when we looked like a sieve in there.”
Bradford didn’t lead a touchdown drive until garbage time, but Zimmer was adamant that the lopsided affair fell more on the O-line that couldn't keep him upright.
“It’s hard to throw when someone is grabbing your arm,” he said. “I’m not concerned about Bradford.”
There were also a few opportunities for the Vikings to extend drives in short-yardage situations, but the line couldn’t get it done.
Longtime starting guard Brandon Fusco acknowledged the line “couldn’t get a push” and said it was frustrating the team failed to pick up a half-yard when necessary. The ground game averaged just 3.4 yards per carry on 27 rushes.
Carson Wentz, the No. 2 overall pick who replaced Bradford under center in Philly, wasn’t much better (16-of-138 passing; 52.4 rating). He and Bradford combined to turn the ball over on five consecutive drives in the first quarter (two fumbles and an interception for Wentz; a pick and a fumble lost for Bradford).
But for the second consecutive week, the Eagles had a kickoff return for touchdown (98 yards from Josh Huff followed by a 2-point plunge from Wentz).
And then midway through the third quarter, the rookie QB led the Eagles on a 77-yard touchdown drive capped by a 5-yard toss to Dorial Green-Beckham to put Philadelphia up 18-3. The Eagles’ O-line kept Wentz clean with no sacks allowed.
Follow Mike Coppinger on Twitter @MikeCoppinger
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