This is what a football apocalypse looks like: Fans jeering, players screaming on the sideline, coaches making irrational decisions, players committing destructive penalties, and a proud group of veterans collapsing in the second half for the third consecutive week while their owners beg for a new stadium.
The meaningful portion of the Vikings' 2011 schedule concluded on Sept. 25 at the Metrodome, as they blew a 20-point halftime lead and lost in overtime, falling to 0-3. Only three teams since 1990 have made the playoffs after starting 0-3, and none of them was outscored 67-6 after halftime in their first three games, as the Vikings have been.
While most players and coaches, after the game, argued they should stay the course, that they're close to winning games and salvaging hope, history suggests they're just as likely to fund their stadium with a lucky lottery ticket as they are to make the playoffs.
So it's time for the Vikings to start thinking of "Ponder" as a noun, not a verb.
The decision to sign veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb made sense. If he played well, he could guide an ambitious team into the playoffs. If he didn't, he could buy time for rookie quarterback Christian Ponder to develop.
Having failed at the former, McNabb has already accomplished the latter. Ponder has had a full training camp and three game weeks to learn the Vikings offense.
You sign a veteran quarterback for composure and savvy, and McNabb has displayed neither when his team has needed him most. The Vikings have failed to convert their last 14 third downs after halftime. They have scored six points in three second halves. Ponder could not do worse.
McNabb is not solely responsible for the Vikings' woes, but he is the only member of the organization whose demotion could prove beneficial. You can't fire a head coach or coordinator three games into their tenures, and changing left tackles has never inspired a team or changed the direction of a franchise.
