It is an important tradition that the Vikings have honored since 1961, which started at the old Metropolitan stadium; there, fans were in the parking lot before the games. But the Vikings’ performance this preseason hasn’t done much to scuttle concerns about their pass protection issues, and Bridgewater was sacked three times.
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Zimmer liked the atmosphere but said the Vikings are still learning about their new digs.
“I mean, if you go over to Green Bay, they let people tailgate just about anywhere as long as they follow the rules”.
The Bradford graduate will go down in history as the first player ever to score a touchdown in U.S. Bank Stadium, which debuted Sunday with a preseason game in which the host Minnesota Vikings defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-10 in Minneapolis. That’s 10 times louder than some other National Football League stadiums. “So you’ve got to make sure you’re looking right when you come out here”.
“It was a great atmosphere and it’s just great being back out there, ” Bridgewater said. I, for one, am excited to see it in person. The Vikings got a touchdown on a fumble recovery from Cordarrelle Patterson and three field goals from Blair Walsh, who was appearing before the home fans for the first time since missing a short kick in the final 30 seconds of last season’s 10-9 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Before practice, the massive doors on the west end of the stadium were opened for the first time, a process that takes about five minutes.
Minnesota Vikings tight end MyCole Pruitt (83) catches a pass against the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“It’s really bright in here”, Zimmer said. The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority says that “should make the stadium louder” because the material is “more acoustically reflective”. “I think I’ve suffered long-term hearing damage”, GMA quotes one fan.
The Vikings were once a candidate to move, but they’re not going anywhere now with light-filled, ship-shaped U.S. Bank Stadium now towering over the east edge of downtown Minneapolis where the Metrodome once stood.
“Man, I was excited, ” Bridgewater said.
“How can you not like this?” said linebacker Eric Kendricks.
The Vikings are 2-1 when playing their first regular-season game at a new venue.
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One weapon they will not have on defense is Joey Bosa, the team’s 2016 first round draft pick. “That part is a great home-field advantage, and the more that we can disrupt the opponents’ offense it’ll be better for our football team”.
