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Vikings Vs. Colts: Christian Ponder Against Andrew Luck

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One is "the rookie" to watch in the NFL.

The other is growing into his high-profile role in his second year as the Vikings quarterback.

Somewhere in this week's match-up between the Vikings and Indianapolis Colts is the battle between Andrew Luck and Christian Ponder.

Ponder kept his poise in game one of the 2012 season.

"I'm so much more comfortable and calm," Ponder said. "And the game has slowed down. I'm knowing where to go with the ball."

For a scouting report from someone who has played against Andrew Luck, you have to back to college where one Viking – former Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith – remembers well.

"He's very well-rounded and can do it all. He's in control of the game," Smith said.

In Luck's NFL debut, he looked like a rookie with three interceptions, and yet also looked like a No. 1 pick as he totaled 309 passing yards.

"The fact of the matter is any quarterback you face, you have to get in their face," defensive end Brian Robison said. "We have to stop the run and then get him flustered."

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