Sam Bradford’s First Interception is Inevitable
Austin Belisle
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I’m routinely dumbfounded by the current success of Sam Bradford. Here’s a quarterback who arrived in Minnesota weeks before the start of the regular season, learned the playbook in 15 days, and led the Vikings to a surprising 5-0 record; all without a number of key contributors on offense.
As he prepares to face his former team, he enters Week 7 one of the NFL’s most efficient quarterbacks. Through five games this year, he’s completed 70.4 percent of his passes, thrown six touchdowns, and has yet to turn the ball over. That hasn’t been by chance, though; Bradford’s steady play is the result of his pinpoint accuracy, careful decision-making, and a scheme that isn’t asking too much of its signal caller.
And yet, interceptions are an inevitable reality in the NFL — no qualifying quarterback has ever gone a season without throwing one. Bradford is flourishing, but it’s unrealistic to think he’ll finish the year with ‘0’ in the interception column. So, I asked the Vikings Territory team to predict when Bradford’s clean streak will end. Find their answers — and a special guest’s response– after the jump!
When will Sam Bradford throw his first interception of the year?
Adam Warwas
I know Sam Bradford hasn’t thrown an interception yet this season, but he has thrown some interceptable balls and there is no denying that the streak (as with any streak) has a little bit of luck behind it. That isn’t to take anything away from Bradford’s incredible start to the season, though, and his ability to take care of the football has been a primary reason for Minnesota’s 5-0 start.
With that being said, if you press me for a prediction, I’ll go ahead and predict his first interception comes this week for no other reason than eventually, the luck has to run out.
Brett Anderson
I’m of the mindset that every week Bradford goes without throwing that first pick, it becomes more and more likely that he will eventually throw one. But if I have to hone in on a particular game (and team) he’ll throw his first interception, my best guess would be Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Not only do the Cardinals have the best secondary the Vikings will see the remainder of their schedule, but historically, Sam Bradford has struggled against Arizona. In his eight games against the Cardinals, he’s thrown 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 59.7% completion percentage and a 78.3 passer rating.
It’s worth noting that of the teams Bradford’s played at least twice, he’s struggled most against the Seahawks (4 TD, 6 INT, 52.75 completion percentage and a 65.4 passer rating through six games). The Vikings don’t play Seattle during the regular season, but it seems likely both teams are on track to meet again in the playoffs.
Carl Knowles
The Cardinals are currently tied for the league lead with nine interceptions this season. Arizona is also the team that’s picked off Bradford the most, accounting for 10 of his 52 career interceptions. A Week 11 showdown with an opportunistic Cardinals defense will not only put an end to Bradford’s no-interceptions streak, but it could also end the Vikings’ quest for a perfect season.
Sam Neumann
This may seem pessimistic, but predicting which game an interception will come is like shooting fish in a barrel. We’re playing with house money in the interception department at this point, and the odds say things will begin to even out sooner than later, so why not expect one against Philly?
The Eagles defense is capable, and the coaching staff knows Bradford’s tendencies better than anyone. I still expect him to have a good game, and the Vikings to win, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the first pick comes Sunday.
Matthew Coller, ESPN 1500 (@MatthewColler)
In all honesty, interceptions have so much randomness to them, I have no idea when Bradford will throw his first. If I had to guess, it would be this week against the Eagles, not because they do anything special but every week that he goes without one, I would guess he’d throw one the next week. I hope that’s not a cop-out!