A touchdown isn't a factor in the outcome of a game? That's an odd perspective. Nobody said Ponder's performance was cause for rejoicing but to say he was a non-factor or liability in the game is a position so extreme that it undermines your credibility. When the QB goes 3-for-3 on the opening drive and leads the team to a TD and an early lead on the road against a quality opponent, that alone makes him a factor in the game... and Ponder did more than that on Sunday.Sinatra wrote: Actually, that's exactly what I'd say he was. When 174 yards and a touchdown is cause for rejoicing, that just serves to illustrate how dire the Vikings' QB situation is. For point of reference, the Houston pass defense is ranked 16th. That's a middle-of-the-road pass defense.
I'd say it's more likely that Vikings fans are optimistic because the team is on a 3 game winning streak and blew out their last two opponents.Sinatra wrote: And yet Vikings fans are optimistic because of one good game last week. Essentially, a one game trend. So that argument swings both ways.
Don't strain your arm patting yourself on the back...I'm not selling the Vikings short. I've been spot-on about them all year. When they were 4-1 and 5-2, I said they were going to regress and would be fortunate to even make the playoffs. And I was right -- they've gone 4-4 since and have to win next week against a team they haven't beat in three years to make the playoffs.
Jim