Joe Webb is clearly still a factor in the Minnesota quarterback picture.

The second-year quarterback from Alabama-Birmingham was hoping he would eventually be the successor to the retired Brett Favre. Lately, however, rookie Christian Ponder from Florida State has been handling the No. 1 role.

But when Ponder faltered with three interceptions against Detroit Sunday at Ford Field, Webb got the call and nearly pulled out a stunning come-from behind victory over the Lions, who are 8-5 and still in the playoff race. Minnesota was down 21-0 at one stage.

With the 34-28 loss, the Vikings are 2-11 and not going anywhere but Webb's performance proved the team still has potential at quarterback.

"It feels good," Webb said with his ability to move the ball against Detroit. "It's always good to get out on the field. You know, I've been preparing myself everywhere this week by taking the first-team snaps, getting comfortable with those guys in the huddle and being ready whenever my number is called."

While Ponder was pegged to start against Detroit, Webb said the reps he picked up "helped out a lot. I got a chance to get my timing down with the guys. It helped out a lot and it benefitted."

Ponder fumbled the ball in the end zone for one Lions touchdown and threw a pass interception for another. Until he was relieved by Webb in the third quarter, he was 11-of-21 for 199 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Webb did not have a pick and was 12-of-23 for 84 yards and one touchdown. He was even more dangerous on the ground with 109 yards on seven runs, including a 65-yarder for a touchdown in the third quarter that put the Vikings back in the game.

"They brought a blitz and I seen a guy coming off the edge and I was hot," Webb recalled. "So he came in the inside, so I just had moved to go outside so I was looking downfield and I saw all the receivers running the DBs outside. So hey, it was like the Red Sea — gonna run down the middle."

As the game progressed, Webb said he got more comfortable.

"At first, I was a little jitterish but I settled down a little bit as I kept playing throughout the game and just let it come to me naturally," he said.

Webb got the Vikings to the Lions 1 with nine seconds to play and trailing by six points but he was sacked by Deandre Levy when it appeared Webb might have been grabbed on the facemask.

"It was a read play between me and Kyle Rudolph whether it's going to be a fade or a slant," Webb said. "I probably should have, if it wasn't there, just thrown it away and gone to the next play. I came to the sideline, some people said it was a facemask but I have to look at film."

Ponder, who had a sore hip pointer, was told by Frazier that it didn't appear he was moving around that well and he would be replaced by Webb.

"Joe obviously was healthy and prepared all week and did a great job," Ponder said. "I have got to keep learning from my mistakes and can't force things that aren't there."

After 13 games, Ponder is 132 of 237 for 1,637 yards, 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a 73.4 rating. Webb is 13 of 25 for 92 yards and one touchdown.

Webb moved up in the quarterback ladder after Minnesota cut Donovan McNabb.

"I think it's a testament to look at how we play all four quarters and for Joe to come in and play extremely well," Ponder said. "He's a really great playmaker and prepared really well all week."

"Joe got in there and gave us a great spark," said Viking coach Leslie Frazier. "He did a terrific job under duress and showed his athleticism and made some big throws for us as well."

But for now, Frazier's making it clear who's his top guy.

"If Christian is healthy, he's our No. 1 quarterback," Frazier said.

 

 

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