Redskins at Vikings: A ‘Playoff’ Game

<p>Week 16 is upon us and although the playoffs don&rsquo;t  officially start for another two weeks, the Washington Redskins/Minnesota  Vikings game can very well be considered a &lsquo;playoff&rsquo; matchup.</p>
<p>The Vikings were considered done back in mid-November with a  3-6 record, and then they beat the Raiders on Nov 18th and haven&rsquo;t  lost since. Now 8-6, Minnesota  enters this critical game as 6 &frac12; favorites and controllers of their own destiny  in search of a NFC Wild Card.</p>
<p>Washington  has had a season to forget with Sean Taylor&rsquo;s death, injuries to QB Jason  Campbell and T Jon Jansen, and a recent streak of four close losses which have  crippled their playoff hopes.</p>
<p>Now 7-7, the Redskins need some major help, as they must  beat the Vikings and the powerhouse Dallas Cowboys next week and then acquire  help from other teams to get into the playoffs. Not likely, but still a  possibility.</p>
<p>&quot;It certainly helps when you come to work and you've  got something to come to work for,&quot; stated Redskins coach Joe Gibbs.  &quot;You've still got a chance to make the playoffs. It's a big deal. It's  motivation.&quot;</p>
<p>These teams have only met twice since the 2004 season, and  the underdog team has won each time in close games. Check out the <a href="http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/nfl-football-lines.aspx">nfl odds</a> for this game. Last September, underdog Minnesota won 19-16 away, and Washington beat the Vikings 21-18 at home in  Week 17 of the 2004 season. But the Vikes have won three out of their last four  meetings.</p>
<p>The Over opened at 42 in Vegas, but has dropped to 40 &frac12; in  most places. Both teams have pretty much split their totals, with the &lsquo;Skins at  6-8 O/U and the Vikes at 7-7. Interestingly though, Washington is 6-2-1 in their last nine games  on artificial turf.</p>
<p>Minnesota will enter the  contest looking to take advantage of a Washington  defense that recently lost two of its best run defenders in Taylor and LB Rocky  McIntosh. The Vikings have the #1-ranked rush attack in the NFL, led by rookie  sensation Adrian Peterson, who appears to have shaken off the effects of a  recent knee injury.</p>
<p>Quarterback Tavaris Jackson did not look good last week,  throwing three picks and no touchdown passes against Chicago in a game the Vikes won 20-13. The  Bears were on their way to tying the game when S Darren Sharper intercepted a  pass headed towards the endzone.</p>
<p>Washington  will attempt to counter the vaunted Vikings attack with a nice rushing game of  their own, led by Clinton Portis. When Portis is not receiving handoffs,  Collins will look to take advantage of a porous Minnesota defense by using TE Chris Cooley  and receiver Santana Moss. The Vikings are dead last in the league in pass  defense, giving up over 266 yards/game.</p>
<p>Expect the Vikings to use multiple defensive formations and  serious pressure to confuse Collins, forcing him to make bad decisions in  throwing the football. The Vikes will stack the run, knowing that Washington&rsquo;s pass attack  is mediocre with only 14 touchdown passes in their 14 games.</p>
<p><strong>PICK THE VIKINGS</strong></p>