Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder had an up-and-down rookie season, and the lowest of the “down” part came in Week 14, when he threw three interceptions and fumbled twice in a loss to the Lions. And Ponder admits that he took a beating in that game, not just physically but mentally.
“That definitely hurt my confidence,” Ponder told the Pioneer Press. “Without the mistakes in Detroit, I probably wouldn’t have lost my confidence.”
After that loss to the Lions, the final three weeks were a mess for Ponder. He started all three games but left two of them early with a hip injury and a concussion, throwing for 120, 68 and 28 yards in those three games. Ponder says that “kind of stunk.”
With some time to reflect, however, Ponder says he won’t allow anything that happens this season to get him down.
“The tough part was you’re just so upset that you’re letting your teammates down,” Ponder said. “I won’t let it affect me as much. I know it’s a long season.”
Ponder may have another game as bad as that loss to the Lions. But the Vikings can’t afford for him to have three straight games like he had after that loss to the Lions. Which means the Vikings can’t afford for him to lose his confidence again.
