Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder threw his first two interceptions of the season on Sunday. Despite that, the Vikings routed the Titans, 30-7, behind an offense that racked up 433 total yards.
The Daily Norseman noted that Ponder's quick turnaround from the two picks was key, as the second-year quarterback led his team to 17 second-half points following the second turnover:
I thought Ponder responded very well ... after those ugly back-to-back picks, giving a nearly perfect game after that. Early in the game Ponder also proved wrong those who said he couldn't throw a deeper pass ... by sailing a perfect ball right into Harvin's waiting hands.
Ponder's interceptions, which came on consecutive passes, as DN stated, ended a streak of 143 attempts without a pick for the Florida State product. Still, Ponder threw for 258 yards and two scores, both of which came in the second half.
Of course, the Vikings defense played a large part in the victory, as well. The unit kept Tennessee's running game completely at bay, while not allowing Matt Hasselbeck to get anything going until the game was already well-in-hand. From DN:
Our D-line is a nightmare for the opposing O-line, quarterback, and whatever poor sucker is being handed the ball for a run. Our LB corps lets very, very little escape its jaws, and they clamp down on practically everything like the teeth of Cerberus himself.
The 4-1 Vikings face a stiffer test this weekend against the Redskins, although Washington has lost its last eight home games and could be without quarterback Robert Griffin III, who suffered a concussion in Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons.