Vikings vs. Packers: Christian Ponder Will Thrive in First Primetime Test

Only two teams can claim to have gotten a really good look at Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder.

By the time Monday is over, the Green Bay Packers will be able to claim they've gotten two really good looks at the former Florida State star.

Ponder was pretty impressive the first time the Packers saw him back on Oct. 23. Making his very first NFL start, Ponder passed for 219 yards and a pair of touchdowns, adding a pair of interceptions as well. It was hardly a great performance, but it certainly looked great compared to what Donovan McNabb had done for the Vikings in his time under center.

Ponder was even better last time out against the Carolina Panthers, completing 18 of his 28 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown. If he keeps progressing at this rate, it's going to be clear that the Vikings did indeed know what they were doing when they decided to us the No. 12 overall pick on Ponder.

Now, the popular train of thought—or at the very least, a train of thought—is that the Packers will be ready for Ponder on Monday night. Having already seen him once, they'll know what to do. By the time tonight's game is over, they will have knocked the rookie down a peg or two (rhyme not intended).

As for me, I'm a little more optimistic. While I'm willing to admit that Ponder could end up as a purple mess on the Lambeau Field turf, I think he's shown enough to deserve a little bit more credit.

Ponder is far from being a finished product, but the dude has shown remarkable poise for a rookie QB who has been thrust into a bad situation. He doesn't have much in the way of wide receivers, and Minnesota's offensive line is not exactly a great wall. That Ponder has managed to look even the slightest bit legit in his first two starts is worthy of a pat on the back.

Or, since we're talking about the NFL, a pat on the rear.

Just as you have to give Ponder credit, you also have to realize that he is facing a Green Bay defense that is not quite as dominant as it was in 2010. The Packers can still bring the heat, but they are 31st in the league in passing yardage allowed per game. Ponder knows as well as anyone that the Packers will pick the ball off, but they can also be beaten.

Besides, the Packers' defense will be more worried about stopping Adrian Peterson. He rushed for 175 yards against the Packers the last time they and the Vikings hooked up, and another 100-yard day is definitely in the cards. We are, after all, talking about Adrian Peterson.

Is all of this to say that the Vikings are going to win?

Heavens no. I don't think the Packers will cover the 14-point spread, but this is a game they should win.

Even if they do, I expect them to come out ready to tell you that this Ponder kid is no slouch.

Based on what we've seen so far, he isn't.