Skol and hail to you Redskins fans---Vikes fan here.
This is a big game, and you all seem like respectable NFL fans, so I thought I'd hop on and give you one Vikings fan's opinion on our match-up. I went and watched all 8 of the Redskins games to see exactly what we are dealing with and here is what I saw from an outsider's perspective, and obviously you know more about this than me, but....
-Your defense seems solid and a bit under-rated to me. Capable of bringing lots of pressure, and your DB's play the ball well and make some real nice pass deflections. Swearinger is high risk/reward in coverage.
-Kirk Cousins looks to be hot and cold, but able to turn it up in the clutch moments. His cold moments look to be due to an injured O-line.
-You don't need reminding, but the O-line is hurt. Still, get rid of T.J Clemmings. He'll probably end up getting KC hurt. If Ty Nhseke comes back that will be a big boost. He really held his own against Griff last year.
-The running game is...not there. Except for a dynamic Chris Thompson, who has done damage in the screen game. The WR's appear good, but nothing amazing.
Some Vikings insight.
-The Vikings have killed opponents run games (except oddly enough, the lions game) and have done awesome against the screen. This is not good for Thompson
on paper. The Vikes feast when the enemy is one-dimensional.
-Our D is lights out so far and is great on 3rd down. That being said, I feel we must create turnovers and maybe even get our first defensive TD of the season to win this game. We lost against the Lions and while our D played great, they also dropped 4 interceptions. Even if we hold you to a low point total, if we don't capitalize on those moments, I like your chances, because our O will probably need some help from them on Sunday.
-Do not sleep on Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, but the rest of the corp is nothing to be afraid of. These guys are very good route runners and have good chemistry with CK. Diggs runs 60% of his routes from the right side, and I believe that is where Norman plays, correct? Norman can stick him, so Thielen will probably be the go-to guy. So far nobody has really been able to shut him down completely. He's a chain-mover.
-Our O-line is much, MUCH improved over last years atrocity, but will be tested against you guys. Our RT is out and the original starting LG is coming back from injury, but this hurts us imo cuz I would actually rather stick with the backup LG. Case surprisingly has been pretty savvy in the pocket, but does not see the field well. Missed some TD opportunities.
Bottom Line: Despite the records, I see this as an even match-up and honestly think the Skins are a team that really can play a tight game with just about anyone in the NFL. They scare me more than the Lions who beat us. Punters pinning the opposition in the their own 10 will be HUGE for both sides. A punt coverage mishap might give either O enough life to take control. I would not be surprised if either team wins, but do think this game will be close all the way through.
My Prediction: Vikings 20 (1 offensive TD, 1 defensive) Redskins 16. Redskins look dead, stuck on their own 4 yard line to start the drive with 1:01 left in the game and 1 TO. But some KC magic later and the Redskins are inside the redzone looking to score. Then Everson Griffin gets his first sack of the game pushing the Skins back to the 17 yard line. With no TO they hustle to the line to spike the ball with 1 second on the clock, but the snap is accidentally fumbled on the exchange! KC picks it up and has to improvise on the fly, throwing it to Josh Doctson covered by Xavier Rhodes in the left corner of the endzone......where it floats just a little high and harmlessly out of bounds.
Respect and stay healthy. Skol
PS I'm glad we don't have Blair Walsh missing kicks for us anymore, thanks for Forbath
11-11-2017, 01:35 PM
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