*Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer *

That was a good hard fought ball game. I thought our team played with a lot of grit, a lot of toughness, a lot of fight. We lost our composure a couple times. We've got to clean that up. We've got to clean up the penalties. We've got to clean up the protection and pressures and protection on the run game. I thought our guys fought pretty hard. It's a credit to the way they work and the way they compete. I'm sure you're going to ask about Bradford. I thought he played well. Diggs, Diggs made some big catches. It's a big credit to a guy who has come in here 15 days or whatever it was and he's learned enough of the offense to come in and perform against a team that's pressuring and blitzing and attacking him as much as they did. It was a good win. It'll be over here in about ten minutes.

Q: What did Bradford show you on that second touchdown pass?

A: He can throw the ball. He's got some toughness about him. This isn't his first rodeo, so he's had opportunities to get in there and continue to go. He was pretty composed all night and on the sideline as far as when I talked to him and things like that. It was a good start.  

Q: How bad is Adrian Peterson's injury?

A: I don't know. We'll get an MRI in the morning.

Q: After his roller coaster night how big was that interception for Trae Waynes?

A: Well it was big. I mean that interception he made was huge, obviously. He competed good all night long. He knocked some balls down; he had some pass interferences obviously and then there was a couple of balls that got caught on him. It's all part of a learning process. I could've done a better job of helping him at times. It wasn't really in the game plan to work too much with [Davante Adams]. I'll make sure that I do a better job next time of helping him some. The great thing about it was he fought. He fought and competed. At the end there, that was a great play.

Q: Was there a point where you knew that Sam Bradford was ready?

A: How do you know if a guy is ready? I knew he could throw the ball pretty darn good. I knew he knew the offense pretty good. He could call the plays out and for the most part I think he knew the protections pretty good. I don't know if there was ever a point where I said that but we were going to ride with him. I told the NBC people last night, my plan wasn't for his first snap to take here at U.S. Bank Stadium against Green Bay. I was planning on getting him in the game last week at a certain time. I told Shaun that; I told Sam that. It just didn't work out that way. I didn't think this was the best atmosphere for him to come in. I saw him walking through the tunnel with all the fans here. Because he's never been to U.S. Bank Stadium. I don't think it was the best situation for him but he made the best of it.

Q: Were any of the big shots that Sam hit audibles or were they all drawn up?

A: It was both.

Q: Any in particular that you can recall that were audibles?

A: I can't, honestly.

Q: What do you think of your new stadium?

A: It was great tonight. The fans were unbelievable. They were loud. I've been in some of these games before where there's been a lot more green in the stadium. There was a lot of purple in here tonight and they were as good of a crowd as I've seen. In my opinion, it was pretty darn loud.  

Q: Were you surprised when Mike McCarthy passed on a short field goal and went for it on fourth down?

A: I don't remember, when was it? They went for it on fourth down? I don't remember. [Discussion] Oh…I don't remember what happened to be honest with you. I'm telling you know, that's a grind when you're playing those guys. Just trying to recall…wooo.

Q: What was your thought process on going for it on fourth down in the first quarter?

A: I told Norv we were going to be aggressive tonight. I talked to him about fourth and one calls, fourth and three calls, things like that when we're down there. I just felt like sometimes a team takes on that mentality. If you're going to be aggressive they can be aggressive.  

Q: What is your concern level with Adrian Peterson?

A: I guess it could be serious. I don't know until I get the MRI but we'll be alright. 

Q: Do you like the scoop and score mentality on fumbles?

A: Well I liked them last week but I don't like them tonight. No, we should have got them. The one on Captain (Munnerlyn) we definitely should have got on and (Andrew) Sendejo had it but he didn't secure it. Now the one that (Danielle) Hunter got a week ago was pretty darn good so I'll communicate with them.

Q: Do you think your guys took anything away from Week 17 at Lambeau last year with the holding penalties?

A: I honestly don't know. I think that this team is resilient. I think they know that I want them to be aggressive in those situations. We're not going to be passive and try and let a guy like that go in there and score. There was at the end of the game, at the end of the first half, we know who the other quarterback is and we're trying to be smart with the play clock. Adrian (Peterson) and I had a little discussion at the end of that, we kicked a field goal right before the half. We're always going to try to be aware of the team that we're playing and the situation that we have.

Q: What was most impressive about Sam Bradford?

A: I was impressed with pretty much everything he did tonight. I thought he had great composure. I thought he had good control of things. He threw the ball away in the right situations and if you don't turn the ball over, and they had one or two…when you have two evenly matched teams the turnovers always end up being the difference.

Q: Did you get an optimistic preliminary report on Adrian Peterson's injury?

A: The report is he is going to get an MRI tomorrow and figure it out. I don't know. He might miss a week; I don't know if he will or not. Whatever it was, it's calmed down now so we'll see. Q: What was the reason for sitting Trae Waynes for some plays and letting Mackensie Alexander play?

A: Well he was tired. He was going to go in for (Terence) Newman earlier and you know, no huddle is hard to get a lot of substitutions. Our guys were tired. They sucked it up.

Q: Do you think the noise affected the offensive line with the penalties?
A: No, I really don't. I think maybe the difference cadence in the snap count might have, although we didn't have that problem in practice, so I don't know. It could have been Green Bay too. They were moving around pretty good and bringing extra guys in there. We have to be more disciplined.

Q: How much are you drawing up for Stefon Diggs and how much is he creating?
A: I think both. Obviously we're going to draw stuff up for him but some of those plays weren't drawn up they were just, it happened to be that that was the read going on too. You're always going to try to involve your players the best you can, however we can get to him.

Q: Where has he come furthest since last year?
A: He's always worked really hard. He's always caught the ball really good. I think he's even, and I know he got a penalty tonight and it was a dumb penalty, but he's even more competitive every day in practice. Every day. I see that all the time so maybe that's it. I think the beginning of last year he was kind of, like a lot of rookies do, feeling their way.

Q: What was the difference when Adrian Peterson started to get going?
A: I do think when you're throwing the ball a little bit and opening things up, then they have to start picking their poison a little bit, and I think that helps some. They whipped us sometimes up front too. We have to do a better job in a lot of those areas.

Q: Why did you opt to take the delay of game instead of using a timeout?
A: Well first of all I wanted to use all the time so (Aaron) Rodgers wouldn't get the ball, and  secondly, I thought it was five more yards and for him that's nothing. So that's why I took it.

Q: On the blocked punt was it a missed assignment or just overpowered?
A: I think we missed an assignment.

*Vikings Quarterback Sam Bradford *

Q: When did you find out you'd be starting?

A: Earlier this week.   

Q: How do you think your Vikings debut went?

A: We won and at the end of the day that's all that matters. Obviously any time you can beat a division rival, those games are always big. To win the home opener here this year, I think it was a great way to kind of bring in the year in this new building.

Q: Is there something that stood out to you with Stefon Diggs' game?

A: Yeah, Diggs did a great job tonight. He's just kind of one of those guys. When I first got here and started watching tape, he just kind of popped. You just kind of notice him. He's always getting separation, he seems to always be finding a way to get open. Then tonight, he was pretty much unstoppable out there tonight. I mean he just got open time and time again. Made a lot of good, big plays for us tonight.    

Q: What was the most difficult part about starting 15 days after you were traded?

A: Learning the offense.

Q: Specifially was it picking up blitzes and making calls at the line?

A: Yeah, I think the thing that was a little different about this week's preparation compared to a normal week is, I talked a little about it last week, in a system that you've been, in that you're familiar with, there's a lot of time spent on what the defense is doing and trying to figure out how they're going to try to stop us. Whereas this week there was a lot of time trying to figure out what the defense was doing but there was probably more time trying to figure out what we were doing. I think any time you're learning an offense, a lot of the concepts are things that I've done in the past, right now it's still in the phase where I have to translate it in my mind to what it was in a previous offense because that's what hits my brain first. I think the longer you're in an offense that translation becomes smaller and smaller each week and you hear the play call and that's what comes to mind first. I think fighting that translation is difficult as well.

Q: How many of those shots down field were audibles?

A: I don't think any of them were.   

Q: How is your hand?

A: It's good. I mean it's a little sore but it's fine.

Q: Is it normal sized now?

A: Probably not quite normal size but it will be fine.  

Q: Did you get an X-Ray when you went into the locker room?

A: Yes.

Q: How was the atmosphere tonight?

A: It was awesome. That's one of the best atmospheres I've probably ever played in. A lot of people talk about Seattle being loud but tonight this building was rocking. Our fans were tremendous. I think a lot of credit goes to them.  They were having a hard time communication. I think there were times we were having a hard time communicating because it was so loud in there. It's fun when you get to play in atmospheres like that, it's not an every week thing. You don't get to play in front of crowds like that all the time so when you do, it's really special.

Q: What did it mean to you when Kyle Rudolph gave you the touchdown ball?

A: It meant a lot. Obviously to get that first touchdown, it was nice. Obviously it was still early in the game but it was cool for him to do that for me.

Q: Do you feel a bond with your teammates here already?

A: Man, the guys here have been awesome. I think anytime you join a new locker room, its not easy at first. These guys have had my back from day one. They've been super supportive of me. Shaun Hill in the past two weeks, he's been right with me every step of the way. Talking about kind of that translation phase, he's one of those guys who, he was in a system with me somewhere else so he can kind of relate what we're doing back to a former life. Shaun's been great, the guys have been great. I just wanted to come out and play well for them tonight.    

Q: Shaun said you were a great it for this offense, do you feel you're a good fit for this offense?

A: I hope so.

Q: What about this offense translates so well to your skill set?

A: I like a lot of the concepts we run. I think it's a great mix of both drop-back, play-action, things that I really enjoy. You saw tonight we even mixed in some of the up-tempo stuff we were doing last year in Philadelphia. I just think being a part of this offense it's fun because there's so many different facets of it.

Q: Do you feel like you still have to take on a leadership role in the huddle?

A: Yeah, I thought the guys did a great job in the huddle tonight. Obviously when Adrian [Peterson] goes down, that's a big blow. Obviously we're all praying for him right now, hoping it's nothing serious. I thought the guys did a great job of keeping their composure, maintaining focus and going out and finishing the game tonight.

Q: Have you been exposed to the wildcat formation before?

A: Not a lot, to be honest. I honestly can't remember the last time we did something like that or that I was a part of. It's cool.

Q: What's going through your mind when you're splitting out wide?

A: Just hoping that the guy across from me doesn't come over and hit me. Really when you see those plays you just  pray that the exchange between the center and the quarterback goes smoothly.

Q: What areas do you think there is room for improvement going into next week?

A:  Penalties. You look at the penalties we had tonight. We put ourselves in a lot of bad situations on third downs. We had a lot of third and longs. To be successful in this league you can't do that. It'd be nice too if we could get the run game going a little bit. If I could come out and play a little better early and get us into a rhythm. I think there is going to be a lot of things when we watch the tape tomorrow that we can learn from and try to get better next week. 

Q: How does it feel to be a part of Vikings history?

A: It's awesome. Anytime you can beat a division rival, it's a big game. But to do it tonight, opening a new stadium, it's a great way to set the season and set the tone. 

Q: Did you think the noise on offense hindered you a little bit?

A: Yeah. There were definitely times, it seemed after big plays where it was really loud. When that happens I just have to be better speaking up, being louder at the snap count, making sure those guys can hear me at the line.

Q: What did coach say after the game?

A: It was a great win. We found a way to do it. But like I said we just have to be better on offense in a lot of areas. There's a lot of things that we could clean up moving forward. I don't know what our penalty yardage was but normally when you have that many penalties you don't win football games. I think that's one area where we have to be much better.

Q: What does it say about this team with how you pulled out this victory tonight?

A: It says a lot about the guys in that locker room. It's not always going to be pretty and it's not always go the way you draw it up, it's not always going to be the way it should but we just found a way and our defense played great tonight. To do what they did to that offense and to that quarterback, man those guys deserve a lot of credit. Fortunately on offense we were able to score just enough to win but our defense played great tonight. 

Vikings Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs

Q: How did you guys manage the emotion tonight?

A: It's a lot of passion you know. Last year we kind of played them a little late, but it doesn't really matter when you play them. It's a lot of passion to open up the stadium and you want to get a win. The main thing is go out and execute and do things at a high level. I had a real bad play with a penalty that could've cost my team the game. It hurt me and it won't happen again. I just got to do things the right way and hold some of that passion in.

Q: It seems like you guys are in sync. Are you?

A: I don't know about in sync. I don't know much about in sync, but the band. He does everything the right way. He works hard and comes in each and every day. The main thing is to get on the same page, you've got to communicate. Throughout practice and games he tells me what he sees. I tell him what I see and we try to make it work.

Q: Can you tell us about Sam Bradford's confidence and the chemistry you've built already?

A: He's a very poised guy. If you ever look at him, he has the same facial expression the whole time. He's not going to smile too much, but in the game in the huddle towards the end he said, "Let's go finish." He shows that tenacity that you want. He's just doing what he has to do to help the team and everybody is working as a collective unit to that W.

Q: Anything special that you and Bradford have been doing in the past ten days to build up that communication?

A: Special? You know he has a locker next to me, so I guess we spend a little bit more time together than maybe I would like. I'm just kidding, but you know just coming in each every day to work hard and do what you have to do to be successful on the field. You've got to make the plays when they come your way. You have to show him that you will do it for him.

Q: Do you feel like you've playing together longer than you have?

A: The thing about football is when you've got guys that work hard and do things the right way, it'll come together it's supposed to if you put the work in. We put the work in and let the rest figure itself out. It's in God's hands.

Q: What was the crowd noise like for you guys tonight?

A: It was nice, but we didn't get too much. The defense is going to get it more than us. It was nice to see the fans come out and support and just show that maximum effort that we play with. They bring it to the table too.*  *

Q: Were there a couple of catches you caught where you couldn't believe Bradford threw you that pass?

A: No. He just throws a good ball, so I just try to make the plays for him and do my job at least.

Q: With this being Sam's first game with the Vikings did you take it upon yourself to have a big game?

A: No. I mean you have to approach it the same way with any quarterback. You're going to try to do the best for you guy. When Sam's in the game he comes with maximum effort and tenacity, so you want to bring that same passion to the game. I just try to make the plays when they throw them to me. 

Q: You weren't happy with last week's game. Are you happy with this performance?

A: No. I got to do better on the next one.

Q: What do you think about Trae Waynes getting that interception near the end of the game?

A: You know Trae is just playing the game. Trae is kind of like Sam. He doesn't show a lot of emotion. He just tries to work hard and do things the right way. I love to see Trae get a pick because I've been with Trae and we came in together. Just seeing him having success makes me happy, but anybody having success makes me happy. I love seeing the defense show up.

**

Vikings Linebacker Anthony Barr**

Q: Were you guys trying to force fumbles all night long?

A: When the opportunity is there, we try to make a play. Fortunately, we were able to make some. We didn't get all of them, obviously, but we were able to get the important ones.

Q: How was it on the field?

A: It was awesome. It was a great experience and I'm looking forward to playing here.

Q: Is this the ultimate home field advantage?

A: I think we have it. We have some of the smartest fans in the league. They understand situations in the game and they showed it tonight. 

Q: What does it mean to have this defense playing this well early in the season?

A: It's important, but we knew what we had coming off of last year. I think the last few games of last year, we found ourselves and began to carry that over into the offseason and the preseason. We're here now and we're playing good football. 

Q: How do you think your defense played on those last two drives?

A: That was actually one of our points of emphasis this year, our two minute defense. We needed to be stronger and play better at the end of games. We did that tonight.

Vikings Guard Alex Boone

Q: How do you feel about the play of the offensive line?

A: It was okay. Again, it's just things here and there need to get cleaned up. You see hope in some plays, and in others, we just shoot ourselves in the foot and give up a sack or do something stupid. It's just one of those things where we're so close, but I'm so sick of hearing that and so sick and tired of everybody talking about it, that we need to get it fixed, because we're going to play a really tough team this week.

Q: How was the communication?

A: It's hard in this stadium. It's loud, for some reason, in this stadium. There's a lot of times that we can't hear the center. We could barely hear the snap counts today a couple times. [We had] a couple false starts, because guys wouldn't know when the snap was going.* *

Q: How much was the win tempered by losing Adrian Peterson to injury?

A: Well, it depends on what's wrong with Adrian. A win's a win. A conference win is worth two, so it's a tough team out there. I don't think anyone would take them lightly. There are things we can clean up and get better at, but I hope AP's okay.

Q: What can you say about Sam Bradford?

A: Unbelievable. He took hits he shouldn't have taken. He delivered the ball well. [It was] just an overall great performance by him.

Q: How was the overall atmosphere?

A: It was great, and when the defense was up, it was phenomenal. When the offense is up, shut up; just shut up. I can't say it any simpler than that. It's starting to screw up a little bit.

Q: It looked like Adrian Peterson was starting to get going a little bit. Early in the game he had about five stuffs. What was the difference there?

A: I think it was just the scheme. We changed it up a little bit, and we wanted to do a little more outside. Like I said, it's on the offensive line. No matter what happens, it always falls on the offensive line to get the run game going, and there are things we've got to clean up; and like I said before, I'm sick of saying that. It falls on everybody. We've got to be big boys and grow up. We're going to play Carolina in their stadium on the road. It's going to be a lot of fun. It's going to be tough.

Q: Could you just sense that Sam Bradford was going to have a good day before the game started?

A: Yeah, he was excited in the huddle, and I think it was the Sam we needed to see. He went out there and put on a show. He took some hits, some nasty hits, and still wasn't fazed by it. He was still excited in the huddle, and that's one thing as an offensive linemen you want to see.

Vikings Wide Receiver Adam Thielen

Q: Bradford seemed to sharp with just 11 days with this football team.

A: Yeah it is impressive. He came in here from day one and was sharp and didn't miss a beat at all.

Q: How much pride do you have that the first game in here will go down as a victory?

A: Yeah it is nice to have that first one in here. The crowd was great, and it was great to get that victory.

Q: It was pretty electric down there, how did it feel?

A: Oh yeah, from pregame warm ups to the end of the game, it was crazy in here. You can feel that the energy was great and it brought the energy out of us as players, and the defense feel off of it. It definitely helps us win games.

Q: How does it feel to be a vital part of this team win?

A: It feels good, a win is a win. We are going to take it and get better and move on to next week.

Q: Was there more pressure to win this game with that atmosphere?

A: No we did not feel any more pressure. We tried to treat it like any other game, and do what we can do and try to get better every play and try to get that W.

Vikings Linebacker Chad Greenway

Q: As a veteran, how does it feel beating a big rival in the new stadium?

A: Yeah, it feels great. You feel great for the organization, for the Wilf's, for our ownership, but also for the administration and obviously for the players who put the work in. And the people who got the stadium built, the fans for coming here. There is so much build up over the years for the stadium and when we're going to open it, who we're going to open it against, of course it was Green Bay. To come in and play and have a great game and also get the win is just huge.

Q: What can you say about Bradford's debut?

A: Sam did great and showed a ton of poise. Obviously, he was under a little bit of pressure but he made so many great throws under pressure and getting hit, showed a lot of toughness. For us, only knowing him for two weeks, we know a little bit about Sam from playing against him and seeing him in the league, but, to kind of have him in your team now and bring him in around the circle and say hey, "He is our quarterback." That's just the circumstances we were dealt. He's our quarterback now and he's going to be one of us. You see a guy play like that, even if we would have lost, you're going to respect him and he's definitely going to be a great player for us.

Q: What do you think of Trae Waynes' ability to bounce back and get that interception?

A: I thought Trae played great. He was in tight coverage all night. Sometimes you're going to get those calls, it's a tightly watched position, obviously. It's always a battle on the outside, but you can't say he was just letting guys catch balls. He was playing very hard, he was playing tight coverage, at the end of the day sometimes you're going to get those calls. You're playing against one of the best quarterbacks in the league. They have a great passing game with great receivers. Trae stood up at the end and made a huge play. We know he's going to do that because that's what he's done all the time.

Vikings Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn

Q: What was it like competing against a rival team and getting a win?

A: It's great. The fans showed up, it was loud, it made it hard for Green Bay to get into their rhythm. It's great when you walk away with a win.

Q: That's quite a chess match you played with Aaron Rodgers. As a defense versus him, it was just like last year in Green Bay. You guys frustrated him and eventually you get a couple of turnovers.

A: Yes, we missed a lot, I'm still kicking myself about that fumble I overran, and a couple more guys who overran some fumbles, which we know that we got to get on the ball, but at the same time it's a chess match and we got away with the win.

Q: Can you describe the game Trae Waynes had, with the ups and the downs?

A: That's football. As a defensive back you have to have short term memory. He definitely had short term memory and made a play. Like you said he had the ups and the downs, they were calling flags on him, he was giving up some passes, and then bam, in the fourth quarter when we needed it he got a big interception. That's being in the life of a defensive back, life of a cornerback. You always got to forget the past, and move forward to the future.

Q: You guys made the concerted effort to attack the ball. That's a risky decision against Aaron Rodgers, but you guys were getting your hands on a lot of passes.

A: We knew our team needed us. We knew we had to step up in a big way. We tried to get some break ups, we tried to put them in third and long situations so Coach (Zimmer) could call what he needed to call, and like you said we just went out there and took some chances and made plays on the football.

Q: So did you guys talk about game planning that you want to be actively going after the ball, or is that just a split second decision?

A: It's an instinct thing. If you're close enough then go for it. I'm a gambler, so if I'm close I'm going for it. I wish I wouldn't have kind of slipped on my breakup, I would have had the interception, but I made the breakup and we moved on.

Q: What did you think of the atmosphere out there?

A: It was loud, man, it was loud. Fans showed up to open up this stadium, Sunday Night Football, you can't ask for anything else. To get the win, that's the big thing, to get the win against your rival team, it was awesome.

Q: How does it feel to get that big win?

A: It feels good. We're 2-0, we're moving on now. We're going to watch the film tomorrow, and get ready for Carolina. You know I'm excited about that.

Vikings Defensive End Everson Griffen

Q: How loud was today's game?

A: It was nice. It was loud, crowd was into it, and they came out prepared just like we came out prepared. They were loud; they got into it. We got them in some situations where we wanted to [get them], great field position, and we won the game.

Q: How important was it that so many different guys were making plays?

A: It's a team game. We go out there and play as a team, we win as a team and each guy made their own plays. You win your individual battles, and that's what we did; and we got the victory.

Q: This is the second-straight game this defense has had its way with Aaron Rodgers. Is it just something you guys are seeing?

A: We just go out there. Our coaches do a great job of giving us the game plan and giving us the keys, and we just go out there and execute. The best thing we can do is keep on running, keep on playing and keep on playing hard.

Q: Does momentum build when you get to the quarterback a couple times?

A: Yeah, it builds, but it's a dog fight. They came out and played a good game. They're a good team, but we got the 'W;' and we're now on to Carolina. [We'll] clean up some stuff on the film, go out there and get prepared for another game.

Q: You guys just seem to build off each other and just know when you guys need to make a big play.

A: Yeah, it's all about rushing together. We went out there, we rushed together, we played well as a D-line and we've just got to keep it up. This is our second game, so we've got to keep it going for the next 16, 17 weeks. So, [it is] one step at a time, and we always look one step at a time.

Q: How big was the interception for Trae Waynes?

A: It's phenomenal. He's a second-year guy coming in, taking big strides. We have to see him make strides like that, and he has to keep playing well for us. We need every guy to step it up. This is a team game, and we've got to keep on bringing it each and every week.

Vikings Linebacker Erik Kendricks

Q: How did it feel stopping them on that fourth down?

A: That's what we're made of. We have a lot of grit. We want them to go for it on fourth down, we have confidence in ourselves. As soon as you saw that ball handed off, we were like sharks in the water.

Q: The ball was on the ground a lot. It doesn't matter, you still won, but did you feel like there was more you left out there?

A: It's a football, it bounces certain ways sometimes. Sometimes it's our way and sometimes it's theirs. But we got two turnovers late, and I think those were the biggest plays in the game. We got them when we needed it, and we were putting pressure on them all day. We just kept it going.

Q: What can you say about the pressure you put on Rodgers throughout the game?

A: He escaped sometimes, he's going to do that, he's good with his legs, but for the most part, we stayed hungry and we went hunting.

Q: How much did the crowd play a factor tonight?

A: For myself personally, it doesn't matter. Like I said, I could play on a dirt field in the back. But it's loud in there, it's real loud, so I imagine for their offense it's pretty bad.

Q: You said you liked playing against the best. How good does it feel to get this big win?

A: It's huge. Inaugural game in the stadium, against the Packers. It's always going to be a big game, a rivalry game. For us to come do what we did and show the resilience we have and just play team ball all the way through and have each other's backs, it's pretty cool. It's a cool feeling, couldn't be more excited right now.

Vikings Tight End Kyle Rudolph

Q: What did you think of Sam Bradford?

A: Unbelievable. On two weeks preparation to go out there and play the way he did tonight. Taking hit after hit after hit, he just stayed there and kept throwing the ball downfield, unbelievable.

Q: Bradford also did not get picked.

A: He just made great decisions all night long. He was getting us into stuff that we can be successful with, and staying poised and calm the entire time.

Q: Was there anything in particular for a guy that has been here for two weeks, what does that say to the quickness you guys were able to develop that chemistry?

A: It doesn't say a whole lot about us, it is all about Sam. What he has been able to do over the past two weeks is unbelievable. I have never seen it before. The last time I was around a quarterback with two weeks of preparation was the Monday night football disaster. So what Bradford was able to do here in two weeks, grasp the offense and his ability to learn is unbelievable.

Q: You scored the first touchdown in U.S. Bank Stadium, how did it feel to get that going?

A: It was good to get the first real one. Sam and I are still ironing out a few wrinkles and getting used to one another. It was good to connect a few times out there tonight.

Q: How about that throw to Diggs? He was on the money.

A: Unbelievable. Some of that he saw early in the game, (plays) he wanted to get to. It shows how smart of a quarterback and player he is, and all in two weeks is unbelievable.

*Q: Also the intangibles, to come in as confident as he did into this situation. *

A: Absolutely. The intangibles were never in question when you are a former Heisman trophy winner and be number one overall pick. He is as talented as they come. You know we have to protect him a little bit better; not see him on the ground so often, but we'll get there.

Vikings Running Back Matt Asiata

Q: Sam Bradford's first night under center, how do you think he did?

A: Awesome. He stepped up like everybody else, just like Jerick and I stepping up for AD. Everybody has to be prepared and go out and perform.

Q: What was it like to see Adrian go off like that?

A: It is really sad because of how close we are, but it is the next man up. We have to step up and try to fill in the job.

Q: When it was Adrian's right knee, knowing how much it took to come back from his left knee, what was the mentality of this offense?

A: The mentality is to step up; that is it. Go out and do what you do every week and just perform.

Q: Alex Boone talked about the noise going on offense was a deterrent, did you find that also?

A: Yeah, sometimes, but you really just have to block that out and just play football.

Q: How would you describe the adversity on offense to date, being it is week two and so many challenges already?

A: That is what comes with this job. The next man has got to step up and the coaches have trust in Jerick and I to fill in for Adrian, and we are going to do that.

Q: Sam Bradford's confidence was through the roof, what did you see in him today?

A: Just poise and just letting the ball go. He is trusting in all the receivers and especially the backs, you know he is a verteran.

Vikings Defensive Tackle Tom Johnson

Q: You came back into the game, so you must have passed the concussion protocol with flying colors?

A: Yeah, definitely.

Q: How vital was the pressure the defense put on Aaron Rodgers?

A: We can in with a good game plan, to try to make them uncomfortable, close the pocket on them, and if you're doing that to any quarterback – that he can't have a clean pocket and no follow through to get the ball to the receivers – you're going to have a good day. I think as a unit, we did that, and we came out with a W.

Q: Describe the atmosphere – the loudness, the crowd, all that kind of stuff.

A: We've got the best fans in the league. They came out excited, enthused, and they definitely came and gave us an extra boost at times when we needed it. You could see that it frustrated them, seeing the offense that they had, calls that they couldn't get in that they were trying to get in and communicate. It was difficult for them.

Q: Any part of the win tempered by losing Adrian Peterson?

A: Definitely. Whenever you have one of your guys go down, it always affects the game, but this is a game that's next man up. It's a cliché, everybody says it, but we've got other running backs that came in and made plays, and we finished the game. Hopefully it's nothing that's going to hold him out for next week, so we'll see.

Vikings Cornerback Trae Waynes

Q: Eric Kendricks said this is exactly what he expected from you, that with this aggressive defense you guys all feed off of each other. Did you feel like you had to make that play at the end?

A: Yeah, I was just fortunate to be in the right spot at the right time.

Q: What can you say about Brian Robison's play?

A: That was a great play. It got the defense off of the field and boosted our confidence. It was a great play by one of our captains.

Q: Can you talk about your third down defense? You guys take pride in that and you really came through on that tonight.

A: You know that's one of the things we work on in practice, and like coach Zimmer said, we have a lot of practicing to do.

Q: Walk us through the pick. Your read, your cue, what you were seeing from the offense?

A: I read pass. I was lucky enough to make a play.

*Q: Describe your emotions as the game went on. You made a bunch of tackles, was obviously targeted, but you were there and you were tight in coverage, just couldn't seem to get to the ball. And then when you needed to you did. *

A: Like I said before, football is a game of ups and downs, and there's a point where you have to have a short memory.

Q: How did you guys as a team balance the emotions of the big night, opening the stadium with a rival, and be able to pull it out like you did?

A: We didn't focus on all the outside noise. We knew it was a new stadium, we knew it was the home opener against our rival, but we put all that aside and just went out and played football.

Q: What do you like the best about Stefon Diggs' game?

A: He's a competitor. You see it at practice too.

Q: Did you guys game plan for knowing that Aaron Rodgers was going to look your way?

A: We just game planned to try to do our best to contain him. He's great at extending plays and getting receivers open.

Q: What does a win like this mean for you guys?

A: It means a lot. At the same time there's a lot of football left to be played. It's not the end of the season, we're going to see them again so we got to keep playing.

Q: You're always hard on yourself. What are you going to hard on yourself for after this, or are you that kind of player?

A: Obviously penalties. So I'm going to work on that and get better at practice.

Q: I think a couple of years ago Xaiver Rhodes had some of the same issues. Your aggressiveness is still there right? You don't want to give up your aggressiveness and you still want to go after that right?

A: That's one thing that Coach (Jerry) Gray said, keep being aggressive and keep playing, sometimes you're going to get calls your way. Xaiver (Rhodes) mentioned it during the game, he had a game like that last year or a couple of years ago, you just keep playing.

Q: When so many calls go against you like they did early on, does it ever make you more hesitant to make a play?

A: No. That's how the coaches wanted us to play.