If you are a rational Vikings fan -- and it's likely you are not, based on all the stomach punches you already have endured -- you likely realize that no matter how bad Christian Ponder has been this last month, giving up on him at this point in the season makes no sense.

There are no long-term QB solutions on the Vikings roster outside of Ponder. (And no offense to Joe Webb or McLeod Bethel-Thompson, but you clearly don't pass the rational test if you think they are long-term answers). The Vikings might as well play this thing out and see if the recent funk is a fluke or the real Ponder, even if the evidence toward the latter is mounting.

If you are, however, an irrational fan ... well, then the real fun begins. The phone lines are full of your venom. But why stop short of demanding to see Webb or some other young alternative this year? As long as you are being irrational, why not think big? Think about an aging gunslinger who is about to have a lot of free time and who might want to have a little more fun out there.

Think about Brett Favre.

It's not a perfect plan, but it is a perfect irrational plan.

Never mind that Favre just turned 43 last month and hasn't played in two years. Never mind that he actually seems retired for good this time. Never mind all that and just let your mind wander.

Forget for a minute that Favre could be crushed behind an unstable offensive line. Instead, remember his quick release and his willingness to try the kinds of passes over the middle that Ponder appears unable or unwilling to throw. Imagine Favre's aw-shucks smile. Think about Favre throwing deep to Jerome Simpson.

Man oh man.

Think about the timing. Favre enjoyed a season as an offensive assistant coach with Oak Grove High in his native Hattiesburg, Miss., but the team's season ended this past Friday. The Vikings play Sunday against the Lions and then they have a bye week. That means two full weeks before their next game -- ample time (too much time?) for Favre to get ready to play.

And wouldn't you know it, two of those final six games are against the Packers.

If you are going to start over in 2013 anyway, why not have some fun in 2012? That's the question all the irrational fans want answered.

MICHAEL RAND