vikings/nfl
The Call: Vikings vs. Washington
- Updated: October 13, 2012 - 5:05 PM
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One man's prediction: As terrific as the defense has been, the Vikings have yet to face an offense that can hurt you in so many different ways. The versatility of rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III has given Redskins coach Mike Shanahan creative license. Stopping Washington's option looks could be a headache for the Vikings defense. Washington 27, Vikings 23
Danger!Griffin leads the league in completion percentage (.691) and has the most rushing yardage among quarterbacks (421). Yet as explosive as he can be, RG3's on-the-run skills leave him vulnerable to big hits, and he suffered a concussion last week. The Vikings hope to get their licks in, especially when he runs the option. Said Brian Robison: "I respect that he gives up his body for his team. At the same time, we have to make him think twice about doing so."
He's back
Adrian Peterson left FedEx Field last December riding on the back of a cart with his left knee torn up. So will there be mental demons to vanquish in his return? Peterson is a forward thinker, so last year's injury shouldn't be a big factor. But the Vikings star also has a sore left ankle, which he said made him uncharacteristically hesitant early in last week's win. Peterson has also gone four games without a touchdown, the longest drought in his career.
Just for kicks
Rookie Blair Walsh has been a godsend for the Vikings. He's made 12 of his 13 field goal attempts while producing 17 touchbacks on 27 kickoffs. The Redskins haven't been so fortunate. They released Billy Cundiff this week after the 10-year veteran recorded his fifth missed field goal in last week's 24-17 loss to Atlanta. Enter Kai Forbath, who went undrafted in 2011 and spent this preseason with Tampa Bay. Forbath has yet to play in a regular-season NFL game. How he handles field goal attempts is one thing. Kicking off to Percy Harvin is quite another.
23.3 Washington's third-down conversion percentage (14 of 60), worst in the NFL. The Vikings have allowed opponents to convert 44.7 percent of third downs.
Pierre Garcon, Redskins: A foot injury has bothered Garcon for a month now. After signing as a free agent in the offseason, he missed two games and had four catches for 44 yards in two others. At full strength, his speed is a weapon, however.
MANO-A-MANO:
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Vikings LB Chad Greenway vs. Redskins RB Alfred Morris
About Greenway
Ranks second in the league in tackles with 53, according to NFL.com.
About Morris
Averaging 4.9 yards per carry and ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing yardage (491).
Advantage: Greenway and the Vikings' defense have held opposing backs to 52 yards on 29 carries the past two weeks.
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| Seattle - LP: C. Furbush | 8 | FINAL |
| Cleveland - WP: J. Smith | 10 |
| Tampa Bay - LP: J. Lueke | 5 | FINAL |
| Toronto - WP: R. Dickey | 7 |
| NY Yankees - WP: D. Robertson | 6 | FINAL |
| Baltimore - LP: P. Strop | 4 |
| Cincinnati - WP: J. Cueto | 4 | FINAL |
| NY Mets - LP: S. Marcum | 3 |
| Philadelphia - LP: C. Hamels | 1 | FINAL |
| Miami - WP: A. Sanabia | 5 |
| Minnesota - LP: K. Correia | 1 | FINAL |
| Atlanta - WP: J. Teheran | 5 |
| Oakland - WP: B. Colon | 9 | FINAL |
| Texas - LP: J. Lindblom | 2 |
| Los Angeles - WP: C. Kershaw | 3 | FINAL |
| Milwaukee - LP: Y. Gallardo | 1 |
| Boston - LP: J. Lester | 4 | FINAL |
| Chicago WSox - WP: D. Axelrod | 6 |
| Kansas City - LP: J. Guthrie | 5 | FINAL |
| Houston - WP: D. Keuchel | 6 |
| Arizona - WP: P. Corbin | 5 | FINAL |
| Colorado - LP: J. Garland | 1 |
| St. Louis - LP: S. Miller | 2 | FINAL |
| San Diego - WP: J. Marquis | 4 |
| Washington - LP: Z. Duke | 0 | FINAL |
| San Francisco - WP: R. Vogelsong | 8 |
| Chicago | 1 | FINAL |
| Detroit | 3 |
| Date/Opponent | Time | W | L | Score |
| 2013 preseason | ||||
| Aug 9 - vs. Houston | 7 pm | |||
| Aug 16 - at Buffalo | 6 pm | |||
| Aug 25 - at San Francisco | 7 pm | |||
| Aug 29 - vs. Tennessee | 7 pm | |||
| 2013 regular season | ||||
| Sep 8 - at Detroit | Noon | |||
| Sep 15 - at Chicago | Noon | |||
| Sep 22 - vs. Cleveland | Noon | |||
| Sep 29 - vs. Pittsburgh (in London) | Noon | |||
| Oct 6 - Bye | ||||
| Oct 13 - vs. Carolina | Noon | |||
| Oct 21 - at. NY Giants | 7:40 pm | |||
| Oct 27 - vs. Green Bay | 7:30 pm | |||
| Nov 3 - at Dallas | Noon | |||
| Nov 7 - vs. Washington | 7:25 pm | |||
| Nov 17 - at Seattle | 3:25 pm | |||
| Nov. 24 - at Green Bay | Noon | |||
| Dec 1 - vs. Chicago | Noon | |||
| Dec 8 - at Baltimore | Noon | |||
| Dec 15 - vs. Philadelphia | Noon | |||
| Dec 22 - at Cincinnati | Noon | |||
| Dec 29 - vs. Detroit | Noon |
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