The Vikings fell to 0-3 on Sunday and they lost a game that they led into the final minutes for the second straight week.
Cleveland’s winning drive was set up by a three-and-out by the Vikings that ended when quarterback Christian Ponder couldn’t connect with wide receiver Greg Jennings, forcing a punt and leading to boos for the quarterback from the home crowd. After a hot start throwing the ball, Ponder had another erratic day that included a pair of turnovers and a pair of touchdown runs that helped the Vikings take the 27-24 lead that they would not be able to hold.
The bad parts of the game featured more boos and calls for Matt Cassel to replace Ponder, something that didn’t sit well with running back Adrian Peterson.
“I got his back. He scored two touchdowns and kept us in the game,” Peterson said, via the Pioneer Press. “They were cheering him when he scored and booing him when a pass wasn’t as good as they wanted it.”
Quarterbacks of 0-3 teams are not going to be the most popular guys at the party, but it bears mentioning that the Vikings offensive line leaked all day long and that the defense has now failed at the end of the game in two straight weeks. Teams don’t lose three straight games because of one player, which means there are plenty targets for catcalls in Minnesota these days.