Teddy Bridgewater shows off arm on 49-yard TD pass to Charles Johnson

Teddy Bridgewater made a statement throw during Friday night’s action for the Minnesota Vikings. He connected on a 49-yard touchdown pass to receiver Charles Johnson in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals that was a thing of beauty.

Evading pressure off the edge by climbing up into the pocket on a first down at Cincinnati’s 49-yard line, Bridgewater then heaved a beauty that hit Johnson’s hands in stride down the field at the goal line.

While nobody would confuse Bridgewater with Brett Favre, it’s clear he has the arm strength to make defenses pay over the top.

The third-year starter finished with a stellar stat line, completing six-of-seven passes for 92 yards and the touchdown.

This was a tremendously welcome sight for the Vikings and their fans. Bridgewater hasn’t been exactly slinging it with ease during his first two seasons. He actually regressed last year in terms of pushing the ball down the field, leading the NFL’s 31-ranked passing attack while throwing just 14 touchdowns.

Johnson is an up-and-coming player who should bounce back after an ineffective 2015 campaign when he caught just nine passes for 127 yards. He, along with Stefon Diggs and rookie Laquon Treadwell, should factor heavily in what Norv Turner draws up for his offense this season.