Last Updated on November 25, 2010 3:32 am by Anthony Rome
Vikings vs. Redskins Preview
Landover, MD – Led by two veteran quarterbacks with Super Bowl experience, the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins had hopes for a playoff run when the season began. Instead, it’s been a tumultuous year for both teams.
After the Vikings fired coach Brad Childress earlier this week, interim coach Leslie Frazier will make his debut when they visit the injury-depleted Washington Redskins on Sunday.
According to latest NFL odds, oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Redskins a 1-point spread favorites for Sunday’s game againstVikings. Current NFL Public Betting Information shows that 54% of more than 5,338 bets for this game have been placed on Vikings +1.
Frazier, who was Minnesota’s defensive coordinator, was announced as the new coach after a 3-7 start under Childress. A 31-3 loss to NFC North rival Green Bay at home last Sunday proved to be the final straw in what has become a disastrous season for a team many picked to reach the Super Bowl.
“The challenge I have before me is to make sure that we’re going in the right direction and at the end of the year we’re not a 3-13 team,” Frazier said. “I don’t think there’s anybody on our team that can stand back and say, ‘You know what? I’ve done my part. I’m not the reason we’re 3-7.’ And if we have a guy like that, that guy has been a selfish individual.”
Frazier hasn’t said how much control of the offense he’ll give to Brett Favre, who notoriously clashed with Childress. However, Favre has been a big problem for the Vikings, both on and off the field.
Favre is still dealing with an NFL investigation into alleged inappropriate messages and photos sent to a former New York Jets game hostess. On the field, he began the week leading the NFL with 17 interceptions to just 10 touchdowns and his 69.8 rating ranks 32nd, ahead of only Carolina’s Matt Moore.
Last Sunday was the third time this year Favre failed to throw a touchdown.
The 41-year-old, who has battled injuries and said Wednesday that he was dealing with the flu, hopes to finish out the season – which could be his last.
“We have six games left, I hope to finish them all,” Favre said. “Let me make that clear. I want to finish on a high note and if my body will allow me and I can play up to my expectations … I want to do it.”
Favre and the Vikings could have better luck against a Washington team that ranks last in the NFL in yards per game allowed with 411.1.
The season hasn’t gone the way Donovan McNabb would have hoped either, although the Redskins (5-5) are in a slightly better position than Favre and the Vikings.
While McNabb has had his struggles, he’s played well the last two weeks. He threw for 376 yards and a touchdown in a 19-16 overtime win over Tennessee last Sunday.
McNabb may need to take on an even bigger role in the offense with the Redskins down to their third-string running back. Clinton Portis was to be placed on injured reserve with a torn muscle in his lower abdomen and backup Ryan Torain is unlikely to play because of a hamstring injury.
Keiland Williams is likely to take over much of the rushing duties on a team that is averaging 96.9 yards – 22nd in the league. He has rushed for 195 yards and three touchdowns and also has 162 yards receiving with two scores.
The running game is just one area that is suffering from a lack of depth due to injuries. Safety Anderson Russell (torn ACL), center Casey Rabach (sprained MCL) and safety LeRon Landry (Achilles’) are also among those who may not play this weekend.
With so many injuries, the Redskins said they are trying to get players time in various positions. Landry’s injury left them with only two healthy safeties, so Macho Harris was signed Tuesday.
“Any time you’re down as many players as we’re down, if you had a normal practice you wouldn’t be able to function on game day,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “We had 15, 16 guys that cannot practice, and you can’t hold a normal practice. Every once in a while you have these situations, and my experience is to give them as many reps with the game plan (as possible) but don’t overdo it.”
This is the first meeting between these teams since the Redskins won 32-21 at the Metrodome in 2007.
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