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The Call: Washington at Vikings

By Matt Vensel

November 2, 2014 at 12:09AM

Robert Griffin III is expected to start at quarterback for Washington for the first time since Week 2. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

WEEK 9: Noon VS. Washington • ch. 9 (100.3-FM, 1130-AM)

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VIKINGS

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REDSKINS

One man's prediction: Sunday's game against Washington could end up being one of the most important the Vikings play all season. Win and they head into their bye week with a two-game winning streak and a 4-5 record. Lose and they can probably kiss their playoff hopes goodbye. Outside of their late-game struggles, the defense has been very good. They will carry the offense for at least one more week.

Three keys

Zimmer effect

It took a few weeks for the Vikings defense to come together — the caliber of quarterbacks it faced was also a factor — but head coach Mike Zimmer has been able to enact positive change. Led by NFC defensive player of the month Everson Griffen, the Vikings have been terrorizing quarterbacks, and you can see the impact Zimmer has had on young defensive backs such as Josh Robinson. The Vikings are eighth in the league in total defense, fourth in pass defense and 12th in scoring defense, all big improvements from last season.

Return of RGIII

The next target for Mike Zimmer's second-ranked pass rush will be Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who is expected to return to the starting lineup after dislocating his ankle in Week 2. While Redskins backup Colt McCoy played well Monday night in a victory over the Dallas Cowboys, it's a little silly to suggest that the Vikings are better off playing against Griffin. RGIII might be rusty, but he has caused the Vikings a lot of trouble in the past.

Keep it up, Rook

Rookie back Jerick McKinnon has been one of the biggest surprises for the Vikings. After Adrian Peterson was exiled and Matt Asiata demoted, McKinnon seized control of the backfield and leads all NFL rookies with 392 rushing yards. He has displayed vision, patience and a little bit of power, too. The Vikings need McKinnon to keep it up Sunday to take pressure off fellow rookie Teddy Bridgewater.

Player to watch

Anthony Barr, Vikings

You probably don't need someone to tell you to keep an eye on Barr, and he makes enough splash plays that you can't help but notice him even if you weren't watching closely. But the do-it-all rookie outside linebacker has quickly become a player whom opponents must account for. His touchdown in overtime after a forced fumble and recovery in Tampa last weekend saved the day, and he is getting more chances to make an impact as a pass rusher.