Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) will start against the Packers Sunday. (Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)
Christian Ponder will be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings when they travel to Green Bay to face the Packers on Sunday.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Wednesday that the decision to start Ponder, who was benched last Sunday in the fourth quarer of a 41-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, is based on the third-year pro having some success in the past against the Packers.
But in his career against the Packers in Lambeau Field, Ponder has completed just 47.4 percent of his passes for 309 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and a 47.9 quarterback rating.
“We are looking forward to him leading our team to victory and other guys around him stepping up,” Frazier said.
Against the Seahawks, Ponder completed 12 of 22 passes for 129 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. His passer rating was 53.0.
In seven games this season, the 25-year-old Ponder has completed 63.7 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Matt Cassel, who came in to replace Ponder last Sunday, remains the backup ahead of midseason acquisition Josh Freeman.
