Just about everything is going wrong for the Vikings right now. They've allowed 480 rushing yards the past three weeks while netting only 316 passing yards themselves. Quarterback Christian Ponder is suddenly the target of escalating fan outrage. And now, with a two-game losing skid, the Vikings head into the teeth of their schedule with four consecutive NFC North games. But wait, there's more. Here's a trio of other things you should know: 1. Ponder needs a bounce-back performance in the worst way this weekend against Detroit.
In recent weeks, the second-year quarterback has taken to posting Bible verses on Twitter as inspiration. Wednesday morning's tweet: "Mark 5:36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, 'Don't be afraid; just believe.'"
Self-belief will be a big, big deal for Ponder on Sunday. The tension promises to be high with an agitated home crowd growing impatient with Ponder's growing pains and certain to give the young quarterback plenty to overhear.
Ponder realizes last weekend's 63-yard passing effort in Seattle was unacceptable. But when asked Wednesday to explain those woes, he also couldn't identify the particulars of what's going haywire.
"I don't know if there are any specific things that jump out at me," he said. "It just goes back to execution. And my execution has to pick up."
Ponder is clearly growing tired of all the outside speculation about his confidence, his banged-up right knee and his long-term potential. But there's only one way to wall off such criticism -- by playing well and winning.
2. Shaky quarterback play isn't the only reason for the recent passing struggles.
That's been Leslie Frazier's message, with the Vikings coach making a plea for better protection and sharper receiver play. On top of that, Frazier has made it clear the coaching staff and coordinator Bill Musgrave need to do their part helping the offense evolve so the Vikings don't become over-reliant on concepts that worked early in the season but have now become easier to sniff out.