If Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater thought it was cold going from his home state of Florida to play college football in Kentucky, what’s he going to think of a harsh Minnesota winter?
The better question is how will he perform in the cold?
Bridgewater rarely played in cold-weather games in college. The fact that Bridgewater and the Vikings will be playing outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium the next two years prompted ESPN’s Stats and Information department to find out how Bridgewater fared in colder weather.
By colder weather, we’re talking about games in which the air temperature was 50 degrees or less.
The research indicates Bridgewater was more effective in warmer weather. In 24 starts when temps were 50 degrees or above, he threw for 48 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing 71 percent of his passes. In 11 games with a temperature of less than 50 degrees, he threw 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 63 percent of his passes.
According to The Weather Channel, the average high and low temps in Minnesota during the NFL season are:
- September: 72/52
- October: 58/40
- November: 41/26
- December: 27/12
- January: 24/7
For more on Bridgewater, check out the Star Tribune’s Q&A with the former Louisville quarterback. When asked how he felt about falling to the last pick of the first round he replied:
“The biggest thing was you can’t buy into what’s being said about you,” he said. “My agent told me the first time I met him, who cares that I’m the number one quarterback. I had that mindset that I feel that I am the best prospect in the draft, but everything happens for a reason. From me being projected number one, to going 32nd I’m just blessed and I’m happy to be a Viking.”
Also take a look at the photo gallery of Bridgewater and fellow first-round selection Anthony Barr.
