Christian Ponder Will Start Against Packers

Oct 27, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) works under the pressure of the Green Bay Packers defense in the second quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Packers win 44-31. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Christian Ponder played horribly against Seattle, turning the ball over three times and getting benched in the fourth quarter. So naturally Ponder will get the call at quarterback this weekend when the Vikings visit Lambeau Field and the reeling Packers.

To the surprise of many, Leslie Frazier revealed on Wednesday that Ponder will get the start over Matt Cassell and Josh Freeman. Frazier is still going with the line that Ponder gives the Vikings the best chance to win.

Well in this case Frazier might not be pulling our leg. Ponder may in fact give the Vikings the best chance in hostile Green Bay. Christian did go 1-1 against the Packers last year, though his performance in Green Bay was anything but spectacular. Adrian Peterson of course had a lot to do with both wins, posting rushing totals of 210 and 199.

If Ponder can play like he did in Week 17 against the Packers last year, the Vikings could very well pull off the upset. The Packers themselves will be playing without their #1 QB Aaron Rodgers, and will instead be relying on former practice squad QB Scott Tolzien.

Tolzien has been okay at times for Green Bay, but has thrown five interceptions in his three games against one touchdown. A bigger concern for the Packers might be their defense which has looked less-than-impressive the last few weeks.

Given all the Packers’ issues, things set up reasonably well for Ponder to have a bounce-back game. It wouldn’t shock me at all for Ponder to perform well and for the Vikings to steal one against the Packers. If Aaron Rodgers were playing, it would be a different story. But Rodgers isn’t playing and that is a big issue for Green Bay.

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