Monday Read Option: Teddy Bridgewater Takes Over, the Andrew Luck Breakout is Afoot

Sometimes, one play is bigger than just that one play. On Teddy Bridgewater’s first drive of his first start, facing his first third down of the game, Atlanta’s defense decided to get aggressive against the rookie. They put every defender within three yards of the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 7. “Let’s see what this rookie’s got.” Out of this defensive formation, Atlanta was likely to blitz with several of the eight defenders “in the box”, though which defenders might be coming is an unknown. And they are almost certainly locked in man on the three outside receivers.

Bridgewater calmly audibled out of the play, went to a wide receiver screen that invited that blitz, got his blockers out in front, and got the ball out to Jarius Wright. Plays still come down to execution. The ball got past the blitzing defender that could have batted it down, and Greg Jennings executed his block coming out of the slot, and after those two things happened, it was over.

Message sent, but it was by Bridgewater. You better not assume he is a typical rookie. Bridgewater was subject to much nonsense this draft season, from questions about his hands to his lack of commanding presence to his pro day. The reasons for optimism, from those high on Bridgewater, were on display on Sunday. He did miss a streaking Jarius Wright on a deep throw down the sideline, when he was wide open, so that was probably reminiscent of his pro day throwing against air. Other than that, he played very well.

Had he connected on that throw, he would have had almost 400 yards passing in his first start. As it is, he had one of the highest yards per attempt (minimum 20 passes) for a “straight out of college” rookie making his first start, in the first half of a NFL season.

Minnesota fans will recognize the name right above Bridgewater on that list, and Mom approves.

Bridgewater also sent a message right before the half. Atlanta used two timeouts trying to get the ball back, when Minnesota had the ball in their own end. That allowed Minnesota to start a two minute drill with some runs, and still have time to drive the length of the field after they picked up the first down. Bridgewater was methodical, taking the chunks of yards available. He also almost came up with a great impossible play, running away from pressure and dropping what looked like a throw away into Chase Ford at the back of the end zone (but only one foot was in).

The NFL is kind of amazing in how quickly stories and team fortunes can change. A month ago, this was Adrian Peterson’s team. If there was any doubt about the identity of this team now, that changed on Sunday. Even if Peterson returns this season, it will be to a team with a completely different feel.

STEVE SMITH’S BIG DAY

Steve Smith’s ebullient personality sometimes outshines just how good he has been. Do you think of Steve Smith as a potential Hall of Fame wide receiver? It’s hard for me to say if he will get in because the Hall of Fame selectors seem to have no idea what to do at the position and there is a logjam of several deserving candidates, but Steve Smith is often overlooked when it comes to the best at the position.

Yesterday, going against his former team, Smith put up a vintage performance, coming up with two touchdowns as the Ravens rolled. Maybe you heard about this game?

Here is note number one to put Smith into perspective. Since he has the second most 100 yard receiving games since he was drafted in 2001, behind Andre Johnson. Yes, some of the other (Hall of Fame caliber) receivers on that list have not been active the entire time, but he accrued that while playing on offenses that weren’t known for big passing attacks or that were quarterbacked by Hall of Famers.

Then there’s note number two on just how amazing this start is for Smith.

The only other players to have 400 yards in the first four games of a season, after their 34th birthday? Marvin Harrison and Frank Lewis.

THE DISAPPEARING SACK

In 1982, the year that the sack became an official individual defensive statistic, quarterbacks were sacked on 7.8% of all pass attempts. That sack rate has slightly declined over time, with year to year fluctuations. It briefly dipped below 6% in 1994 (5.9%) but has largely held steady at between 6% and 7%–the last time it dipped below 6% was 2008 (also 5.9%).

So far in 2014, quarterbacks are taking sacks on only 5.2% of dropbacks. Despite the rising number of pass attempts, teams are averaging less than 2 sacks a game for the first time since the data has been recorded. The biggest culprit–Chad Henne in Jacksonville–is now on the bench as Blake Bortles is starting (Henne accounts for nearly 7% of all sacks recorded this year).

It’s been long known that quarterbacks are far more responsible for a team’s sack rate than the public might believe. In Jacksonville’s case, while one of the stated reasons for not starting Blake Bortles was concerns over the offensive line protecting him. Henne taking 16 sacks in three games only reinforced this, but Bortles has been sacked 4 times, in almost as many pass attempts as Henne.

At the same time sacks are dropping, completion percentages are climbing dramatically. Last year tied an all-time high with 61.2% of all passes being completed. So far this year, that is at 64.1%.

SO THIS ANDREW LUCK GUY IS PRETTY GOOD

I don’t think there has been much disagreement that Andrew Luck was a can’t miss star in the NFL. He has entered the league since day one and looked the part, and the Colts have twice made the playoffs, in large part thanks to his ability to elevate his teammates, and to perform well late in close games.

One thing he hadn’t necessarily done in the first two years is set the league on fire statistically. His career high for passing touchdowns is 23, and his yards per attempt was under 7.0 entering this season.

Well, that’s all changed, and Andrew Luck looks like a snub from Peter King’s Top Five Players at the quarter pole (though admittedly all are good choices).

After four weeks, Luck leads the league in passing touchdowns, touchdown rate, yards per game, attempts, and completions, and has seen his completion percentage climb to 68.9% while his sack rate has been cut in half. I know it’s Jacksonville and Tennessee, but that’s what MVP candidate quarterbacks do against weaker competition. Luck could shatter his season high for touchdowns before Thanksgiving.

Now, about that beard . . .

 [GIFs by Michael Shamburger, images from USA Today Sports Images]