Patrick Reusse: Henderson comfortable in the middle

The Washington Redskins are going to get beat today by Dallas. There's a simple reason for this:

Twin Cities media types and the Purple Faithful have been convinced all week that the Vikings were dead for the playoffs. When convinced, we're dang near always wrong.

You must go back only to last Sunday -- when the citizens of this Frozen Wasteland were convinced that the Vikings were going to make a prime-time charge into the playoffs -- to confirm this.

So, you can count on this: There in the dark of the early evening in the Washington, D.C., suburbs, the Cowboys hold off the Redskins.

That means the Vikings could claim the sixth position in the NFC playoff field with a victory over one of the worst teams fielded by coach Mike Shanahan in his 13 seasons in Denver. These Broncos are 6-9, which has to be a cruel blow to Shanahan's enormous ego. One Shanahan trait that does exist even with these Broncos: They can run the ball.

"It's just the scheme," the Vikings' E.J. Henderson said. "No matter who's running or blocking, Denver runs the ball. I'm sure they start preaching that 'we're going to run' in minicamp and never let up."

The Broncos opened this season with veteran Travis Henry as the featured back. When he was hurt, undrafted rookie Selvin Young emerged. Henry has played some, but his knee is still hurting, and Young will get most of the work today.

The Broncos are ninth overall in the NFL with 1,829 yards rushing and fifth with an average rush of 4.5 yards. The Vikings are the leaders in both categories -- at 2,462 yards and a 5.3 average.

Denver is horrible at stopping the run, and the Vikings have been outstanding at stopping it. That should indicate a Purple victory, except:

One reason the local populace was so confident entering that Washington game was that the Vikings were guaranteed to stop the running game that Redskins coach Joe Gibbs loves so dearly.

Then, Clinton Portis had a better night (20 carries, 76 yards) than Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor combined (15 for 41). Looking at that tape undoubtedly reaffirmed the Broncos' commitment to the run.

The reason mentioned most often for teams to fear the Vikings run defense has been the presence of the Williams lads, Pat and Kevin, at the tackles.

That did not make him the defensive MVP of the Vikings. That honor deservedly went to Henderson for his play at middle linebacker. He leads the team in total tackles (111) and solos (88). He has 4½ sacks, three forced fumbles and two recoveries.

Three years ago, coach Mike Tice tried to turn Henderson into his middle linebacker. He was a second-year player who had done most of his work as a rookie on special teams.

In 2004, Henderson had trouble getting lined up on defense, and his pass coverage was a big problem.

Tice decided a veteran was needed for the middle. The Vikings signed Sam Cowart and played him there in 2005. Brad Childress made the same decision in 2006, going with Napoleon Harris.

Henderson started on the outside for two years. He made plays and established himself as an effective NFL starter. He did this while waiting for a chance to prove himself in the middle.

And how are things different than in '04?

"As a fifth-year player, you're comfortable with the offensive look you're seeing," Henderson said. "You take that first step a little quicker. You see something and say, 'I can't believe they are going to try that again.'

"To me, the middle is where I belong. It's like I want to feel playing football."