On Dec. 2 in Lambeau Field, the Vikings had a chance to beat the Packers, but Vikings QB Christian Ponder threw two interceptions deep in their opponents territory that had a big effect on the game -- a loss for the Vikings.
On Sunday (four games later), Ponder rebounded against Green Bay at the Dome with the best performance of his career, beating the Packers and helping his team make the playoffs. He came a long way in four weeks, and his coach Leslie Frazier recognized it.
“He’s definitely improved coming out of that Green Bay game,” Frazier said. “It’s been a process each one of the games following -- he’s gotten a little bit better. And he was very good on Sunday’s game. It’s just been a product of the work that he has put in with his coaches. To not wilt under the pressures surrounding the quarterback position, just staying focused on getting better. That’s just a credit to Christian.”
On Sunday’s season finale, Ponder was 16 of 28 for 234 yards and three touchdowns -- translating into his highest rating as a pro -- 120.2. It was his best performance at the biggest moment in his young career, despite plenty of outsiders calling for him to be benched. Frazier stuck with his second-year quarterback and Ponder responded.
“I talked to him in the locker room after the [first Packers] game,” said Frazier, “because I knew there was going to be a lot of criticism, a lot of second guessing from a lot of different places. I wanted him to know before he walked into that press conference: ‘I don’t want you to walk in there with any doubt about your future here as our starting quarterback. We have some work to do, but you are going to be the guy.
You just need to handle some things.’ And he has. He’s a done a great job.”
Ponder has lead his team on a four-game winning streak, which was what they needed to snare the sixth and final spot in the playoffs. And Ponder recognized himself that he has improved since the game at Lambeau Field.
“The biggest thing for me was making some better decisions,” Ponder said. “Obviously I made some bad decisions in the first game. It’s something I knew that I have to improve upon. I think each week it has gotten better. Each game I took some steps forward—balancing being conservative, making some good decisions and taking chances. It’s something you have to continue to learn as a quarterback.”
His confidence has improved with the performances and the wins, and Frazier said that is exactly what Ponder and the team needs.
“It increases everybody’s confidence when he plays as well as he’s played,” Frazier said. “It was arguably our biggest game of the season because of what was at stake. It’s very encouraging. But in our business, you have to continue to put good games together. You can’t rest on your laurels in this business, because our next game is bigger than what we just had. Now we’re in the playoffs and the stakes get a little higher. And you just want to keep playing better; you don’t to say that was my best game and peak at that point.”
Next Saturday in Green Bay, Ponder will be hoping for his best yet.
For more Vikings news and notes, follow Joe Oberle on Twitter @CBSVikings and @joeoberle.