Scouting

report

Game 9

WASHINGTON AT Vikings

Noon Sunday

TCF Bank Stadium

TV: Ch. 9

Radio: 100.3-FM, 1130-AM

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (3-5)

• Washington defeated the Cowboys 20-17 in overtime Monday night to win consecutive games for the first time this season. It had lost four in a row before defeating the Titans and Cowboys.

• Since QB Colt McCoy replaced Kirk Cousins two weeks ago against the Titans, he has completed 85.7 percent of his passes while throwing for 427 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

• Washington is fifth in the NFL with 290 passing yards a game despite using three quarterbacks this season. It's unknown whether QB Robert Griffin III, who has played two games this season, will return from an ankle injury. He practiced Wednesday.

• Washington has the third worst turnover differential (-8) in the league behind Jacksonville and the New York Jets. It had 16 turnovers, including 10 interceptions.

• Washington is ranked 11th in total defense, allowing 330.4 yards per game. The Cowboys had 390 total yards against the Redskins defense.

• Linebacker Brian Orakpo was placed on injured reserve last week due to a torn pectoral muscle.

PLAYER SPEAK

LB Ryan Kerrigan

• Kerrigan is fourth in the NFL, behind Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, with 7 ½ sacks. He is a sack short of tying his career high, which he's reached the last two seasons.

• Kerrigan is fourth on the team with 35 combined tackles and tied for the team high with two forced fumbles.

• On his improvement:  "Coach Brian Baker, our linebackers coach, has really opened my eyes to help me with some things, some flaws in my game, from the past. I've been able to correct those for the most part this season and have been fortunate enough to get to the quarterback."

• On head coach Jay Gruden: "It's been a pretty smooth transition. He's a great coach to play for. He's a guy you really want to win for because he's competitive, he's tough and a very tough-minded coach."

COACH SPEAK

Jay Gruden

• The 47-year-old is in his first season as the Redskins head coach. He served as the offensive coordinator for the Bengals, alongside Mike Zimmer as the defensive coordinator, for three seasons before accepting his first head coaching position.

• On quarterback Robert Griffin III's status: "He's making progress, that's for sure. That's the one thing he's continuing to do. With more progress comes more reps and then we just have to see at the end of the week where he's at health wise and his ability to handle the offense."

• On Zimmer's defense:  "The problem is he gives you so many looks, especially in the blitz. He's the blitz doctor, so we just got to be on top of what we do and protect the quarterback."

• On his team through eight weeks: "The good thing was when we were 1-5, nobody hung their head. Nobody felt sorry for themselves, and we all came to work and prepared. We got a big win against Tennessee and obviously Monday night we got a huge win at Dallas. To see the progress these guys are making, the big thing is just making sure we continue to go forward."

MASTER TESFATSION