Image Courtesy of www.redskinshogheaven.com
Washington Redskins
- Record: 3-5
- Offense Passing: 12th
- Offense Rushing: 5th
- Defense Passing: 28th
- Defense Rushing: 22nd
Minnesota Vikings
- Record: 1-7
- Offense Passing: 23rd
- Offense Rushing: 16th
- Defense Passing: 29th
- Defense Rushing: 11th
Keys to the Game
Washington: Robert Griffin III looks to finally be back, Alfred Morris is running well, and the offense is clicking, but why do the Redskins only have three wins? Well, you have to point at the defense. The defense ranks in the bottom half the league and only has nine interceptions and five fumble recoveries. If the Redskins want to continue to be in the playoff race, they need to find a way to stop Adrian Peterson, create turnovers, and pressure the quarterback. This defense needs to help their offense out and lately they just haven’t been doing that. If this defense can help RGIII and the offense out, they will find another “W.”
Minnesota: The Vikings have struggled this year and are learning they can’t rely on just one guy. Yes, I think you know who I am talking about, Mr. Adrian Peterson. Peterson has carried this team for a while but this year he seems to be the only one actually playing hard. If the Vikings want to get their second “W” of the season they need Peterson to carry the load (like he always does) and better quarterback play. The Redskins are 22nd in the league in rushing defense and are giving up 116 rushing yards a game. If the Vikings can get AP going, they have a good chance at beating the Redskins, however, they need to limit their turnovers. The Viking quarterbacks have been bad this year, they’ve combined for nine interceptions and only six touchdowns. Yes, those numbers aren’t good and maybe, just maybe, this is the game where one of their quarterbacks can find success.
What to Watch For
Washington: The Redskins rushing offense vs. a stout Vikings defense. Yeah the defensive front of the Vikings can really disrupt a rushing game, but I am really looking forward to RGIII, Morris, Roy Helu and Darrel Young running the ball. Mike Shanahan always has a good rushing attack and that is no different this year as the Redskins have three running backs (and a quarterback) finding success on the ground. It should be a good battle between the rushing attack and the Vikings defensive front.
Minnesota: Will Ponder step up? Christian Ponder has been the Vikings quarterback until Josh Freeman came to town, but since Freeman got hurt, Ponder has a second chance. Will he take advantage of the second opportunity versus a weak Redskins secondary or will he lay another goose egg? This may be Ponder’s last chance to keep his job.
Prediction
This is not the best Thursday Night Football game but football is football. The Redskins should be a team at the top of their division, instead due to their poor play they find themselves at 3rd in the NFC East. The Vikings, like I said before, have relied on one guy and that just doesn’t work in the NFL. This may be a close game, but the Redskins should really walk away from this one with a “W”.
Final Score: Washington 30 Minnesota 17
Other Week 10 Predictions:
Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
Leave a Reply