Christian Ponder’s stat line doesn’t look good, but it could have been much worse.
His line: 18-for-28, 236 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions.
Ponder tied a career high with three interceptions, and one them would have been much worse if not for penalty on Detroit’s Ndamukong Suh.
Early in the second quarter, Ponder’s pass intended for Jerome Simpson was picked off by Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy and returned 33 yards for a touchdown.
The touchdown was called back because Suh was flagged for a 15-yard penalty on an illegal block against Vikings center John Sullivan. The interception stood, but the Vikings were saved a touchdown — and they got the ball back on the next play when Erin Henderson intercepted a Matthew Stafford pass.
After seeing Suh’s illegal hit on film, Sullivan told the Pioneer Press that he was suprised he didn’t suffer a serious knee injury on the low block.
“I don’t know how it wasn’t,” he said. “I just watched it (on film). That was bad.”
In fact, the league is also less than thrilled with Suh’s move and the Lion will face discipline from the league as a result.
The Pioneer Press says Ponder’s stock went down after more “self-inflicted” mistakes.
Ponder’s longest completion of the day was a 47-yard strike to Simpson, but Simpson had to make a diving catch to reach another overthrown pass by Ponder.
Overall… Ponder had a rough day in Detroit.
