Christian Ponder Bench: Joe Webb Dazzles as Vikings Make QB Switch

If all goes well, Christian Ponder is going to be a good NFL quarterback some day. All he needs is a little seasoning.

But if we've learned anything today, it's that the Minnesota Vikings are not afraid to be realistic with their rookie quarterback. Ponder was downright awful against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, completing just 11 of his 21 passes for 115 yards. He did throw two touchdowns, but he also threw three picks and fumbled the ball twice, losing one.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier decided he'd seen enough during the third quarter, pulling Ponder and replacing him with Joe Webb.

Surprisingly, the move paid immediate dividends. 

Shortly after he was put in the game, Webb broke off a 65-yard touchdown scamper that cut Detroit's lead to 31-21. Roughly midway through the fourth quarter, he connected with Toby Gerhart on a short touchdown pass to cut Detroit's lead to 34-28.

For a moment, it looked like Webb wasn't done there. With mere minutes remaining, Webb led the Vikings on a drive that could have won the game. The drive eventually made it all the way down to the Detroit one-yard line with seconds remaining.

And that's when Webb fumbled the ball, sealing a 34-28 win for the Lions.

A bad end, to be sure, but Webb was definitely impressive in his time under center. He ended the day with 84 yards on 12-of-23 passing and 109 yards on seven carries. Compared to what Ponder was able to do, Webb looked like a superstar.

So what does all this mean for Ponder? After being upstaged in such impressive fashion by Mr. Webb, might Frazier decide that he's better off starting Webb for the rest of the season?

Honestly, that would surprise me. The Vikings drafted Ponder with the hope that he would be a long-term solution at the quarterback spot. Benching him for less than a half is certainly a reality check, but the last thing Frazier and the Vikings want to do is send a message that Ponder is not wanted under center.

Besides, it's not like the Vikings have anything to play for. Ponder's struggles are not going to cost them a playoff spot, and Webb's talents are not going to earn them a playoff spot. The Vikings need to do what's best for their future, not their present.

Essentially, what they need to do is make sure their confidence is in the right place.