5 signs the Minnesota Vikings are for real

3. Sam Bradford is doing enough to lead a playoff run

After a pair of uninspiring stints with the St. Louis Rams and Eagles to begin his career, it appears Bradford may have finally found a home in Minnesota.

Bradford only needed one week with the Vikings to take over the starting quarterback job from Hill, and has done much better than the team could have possibly expected. Despite barely knowing the offense, Bradford completing 22 of 31 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers in one of the best games of his career.

Minnesota didn’t ask Bradford to do too much the next week against Carolina’s tough defense, but he was efficient enough, completing 18 of 28 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. Overall, Bradford has a quarterback rating of 107.8 through two weeks, much higher than his career mark of 81.6.

Going back to the last few games of 2015, Bradford is in the best form of his career. Neither the Rams or Eagles had the best surrounding talent or coaching situations while he was there, so it’s entirely possible the Vikings can unlock whatever upside Bradford has left.

Bradford has taken a ton of hits in his first two weeks under center for the Vikings which is a big concern, but Minnesota was somewhat able to neutralize that by using short, quick throws in the second half against Carolina. The Vikings won’t ask Bradford to do too much, as even average quarterback play could be enough to win with this roster.