How will Christian Ponder play tonight?
That’s a question being discussed at lunch tables today by Vikings fans. The Vikings rookie quarterback will make his third NFL start tonight in Green Bay playing in front of a rabid crowd and national TV audience. And the 8-0 Packers might be the best team in football.
Ponder made his first ever start last month in Minneapolis against the Packers. He gave life to a season-long struggling Vikings offense. Although the Vikings lost 33-27, Ponder did throw for 219 yards and two touchdowns.
The next week in Carolina, Ponder helped the Vikings to a second half win over the Panthers. Ponder directed a long fourth quarter drive that resulted in a Ryan Longwell field goal and a 24-21 win, only the Vikings second of the season.
What’s impressive about Ponder is that he has completed 70.4 percent of his passes on third downs. That’s second best in the NFL among passers with 20 or more third down attempts. Inside the 20-yard line no league passer can match his stats of five-for-five completions and two touchdown passes.
Coach Leslie Frazier said Ponder has been “unflappable” in his two starts for the Vikings. He doesn’t expect the stage to be too big for the rookie tonight. “…I don’t think it’ll overwhelm him on Monday night at Lambeau,” Frazier said last week. “He just has a way about him of being able to handle situations. Of course we’ll do some things to prep him but I have a feeling he’ll be able to absorb it.”
Ponder has impressed teammates, too. “He’s doing a great job,” center John Sullivan said. “…He’s studying hard and he’s making great throws. He’s really leading the team, and he’s a very intelligent guy.”