Eight games into the season, Washington remains a bit of a mystery at 4-4, having faced the NFL's toughest schedule.

Here are a few things to watch today at FedEx Field:

-Washington hasn't rushed for 100 yards as a team since Oct. 2. This is significant because most opposing offenses believe they have to run the ball effectively to beat the Vikings. Running the ball well on early downs can wear down the Vikings' front and eliminate long-yardage passing situations that play into the strength of the Vikings' pass rush.

-Washington opponents have averaged 148 yards rushing over the last three games. There is room to run if the Vikings' offensive line does its job. This could be the second game this season in which Latavius Murray breaks free, assuming he's completely healthy.

-Washington's strength supposedly is its offense and quarterback Kirk Cousins, but this team hasn't scored 30 points in a game, and Cousins has produced just two 300-yard games, both against woeful defenses - the 49ers' and Raiders'. With the Vikings' cornerbacks and Harrison Smith playing extremely well, Cousins may find himself relying on receiving back Chris Thompson. The Vikings' linebackers tend to be good in coverage, so that could be a key matchup.

-Washington's losses have come against Philadelphia (twice), Kansas City and Dallas with Ezekiel Elliott active. In other words, Washington has yet to suffer a bad loss.

Ben Goessling, Mark Craig, photographer Carlos Gonzalez and I are at FedEx Field. Please check out our coverage on startribune.com and in the actual newspaper, which is the best way to read a newspaper.

You can find my podcasts at MNSPN.com

@Souhanstrib