Week 1 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars

Quarterback: Sam Bradford, Minnesota Vikings

Sam Bradford, QB, Minnesota Vikings 27 for 32, 346 Yards, 3 Touchdowns
Performance: 97, NEP: +23.72

For years, the NFL has been trying to convince fans that Sam Bradford, the former number-one overall pick of the St. Louis Rams, was one of the better signal callers in the league. Despite middling stats and a lack of playoff appearances that would indicate otherwise, the Minnesota Vikings shelled out a first-round pick for Bradford in the days before the 2016 season after losing Teddy Bridgewater to a career-threatening knee injury. And Bradford rewarded them with an 8-8 season and just 20 touchdown passes.

But a Monday Night Football matchup against the New Orleans Saints to lead off their 2017 season has rewritten the narrative (for now), and Bradford led all Week 1 quarterbacks with a Performance Rating of 97, according to our numberFire Live feature, while posting 346 yards and 3 touchdowns in a convincing 29-19 win.

Bradford was calm in the pocket and delivered strike after strike to Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen while getting pummeled by the defense. His accuracy was remarkable.

Bradford carved up an overmatched secondary and produced a Passing NEP of 25.29 to lead all passers.

So perhaps we are finally seeing the Bradford NFL front offices have been in love with since he was drafted out of college. Or maybe the Saints are still a really bad defense. Either way, it was as impressive a Week 1 performance as you will see, and it bodes well for this Vikings team moving forward.

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