EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — When Stefon Diggs and the Vikings offense squared off against Seattle in Week 13, the results weren't pretty.
Beyond the 38-7 loss, Minnesota's offense totaled less than 150 yards of offense against the Seahawks.
As the teams prepare to meet again at noon (CT) Sunday in a Wild Card game, Bridgewater said he learned a few lessons from the Dec. 6 game.
A big key? When Seattle sits back and plays its base defense, Bridgewater said he doesn't always have to look for the home run shot.
"The thing about that defense is that they want you to be impatient," Bridgewater said from Winter Park. "That's something I noticed the first time we played them.
"There's nothing wrong with taking those easy completions and then the big throw will come," he added.
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer, a former defensive coordinator, lauded Seattle's defensive success and said Sunday will be a challenge for the Minnesota offense.
"I was just telling somebody, they're really, really good at what they do," Zimmer said. "I wouldn't say they're extremely fancy at what they do, but they do it and they say, "Here we are, let's go." They get after you, they're physical, they play great in coverage, they play great in the run.
"To me, that's impressive when you don't have to try to trick people all of the time and things like that," Zimmer said. "You can play your base defense and get after people and they do that."
Bridgewater was 17 of 28 for 118 yards and threw an interception in Week 13.
And although Bridgewater threw for just 99 yards in Sunday's win over the Packers, Zimmer said he has plenty of confidence in his second-year quarterback.
"I don't have any concerns about Teddy," Zimmer said. "I'm sure he will play good this week."
Here are four other notes from Bridgewater's press conference on Wednesday:
Bridgewater on what's changed from Week 13 to now…
"This is a team that's continued to just trust in one another. We've been playing some of our best football these past couple weeks and that's a good thing. We want to continue to build off that momentum that we have and take advantage of this opportunity."
Bridgewater on his mindset for his first playoff game…
"You can tell that the guys' focus is totally different. Coach Zimmer said something this morning in the team meeting, 'Now you're playing for trophies and rings, not just banners'. Hearing that, it lets you know that it's go time. I walked in the facility this morning and the guys were locked in. Those guys have that intensity, that look in their eyes that they want to get it done."
Bridgewater on playing in cold weather…
"We've had some cold games dating back to last year. We feel like it's a mental thing. The guys have bought in. We're going to practice outside most likely, Coach Zimmer being our head coach, he's a tough guy. Get used to the weather, get used to the climate. The guys understand the challenge that's in front of us and they've been doing a good job answering Coach Zimmer's challenges."
Bridgewater on watching playoff games as a kid…
"Growing up watching some of the most epic battles in NFL history and now I get to take part in an NFL football game, it's huge for us and just speaks volumes to Coach Zimmer and what he's been able to do here in the past two years. He's just been challenging this team and the guys have been great of stepping up to the challenge and responding."
