Christian Ponder Finally Throws An Interception

Christian Ponder’s hallmark this year has been ball security. Has he made a ton of plays downfield? No. But he also hasn’t made a lot of big mistakes. Going into the Tennessee game he had thrown 124 passes without a pick. He made it all the way to the end of the first half with that streak alive. Then he got perhaps a little over-aggressive deep in Tennessee territory. Rolling left, he tried completing a pass to Kyle Rudolph but his momentum caused the ball to sail high. It was tipped by one Tennessee defender and into the hands of Robert Johnson who tiptoed along the sideline to complete the play. The play ended a scoring chance for the Vikings. And of course it ended Ponder’s streak.

The streak probably should’ve ended on the play just before. Ponder tried hitting Michael Jenkins down the right sideline but the throw didn’t have enough air under it and Jason McCourty jumped and almost got the pick. Ponder has had a few like that this year truth be told. A little less luck and Ponder would’ve had an interception long before today. The INT he threw late in the half might not end up hurting much if the Vikings go on to handily beat the Titans as it appears they will, but if Tennessee pulls closer? The three points the Vikes lost by not getting a field goal attempt there could come back to bite them.

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