Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins (3-5) at Minnesota Vikings (3-5)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at TC Bank Stadium, Minneapolis – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale
*Keys to the game: Rather than lean on QB Colt McCoy for one more game entering the bye week, the Redskins appear inclined to get Robert Griffin III on the field for the first time since Week 2. With RGIII’s trademark mobility likely limited, the onus is on the offensive line to provide protection for the franchise quarterback. That begins with the ground game, which finally showed signs of life at Dallas. While the Vikings rank 16th against the run, they have the league’s fourth-best pass defense in large part due to a group of defensive tackles that has racked up 10.5 sacks through eight games.
Pass protection has been equally concerning for the Vikings’ offense. Although rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater was dropped just once last week, that was against Tampa Bay’s toothless defense. He was sacked a combined 13 times the previous two weeks, and admitted he has to stop overthinking and get rid of the ball quicker. That’s especially true against a Redskins defense that continually confused veteran QB Tony Romo last week with jailbreak blitzes. If Bridgewater can quickly identify the scheme, big plays are there to be had. If not, stalled drives and turnovers will rule the day.
*Matchup to watch – Redskins RG Chris Chester vs. Vikings DT Sharrif Floyd: Although Floyd was limited midweek by ankle and knee injuries, he already has a career-high three sacks, and Chester was whipped multiple times by Dallas’ interior rushes last week.
*Player spotlight – LCB Bashaud Breeland: The fourth-round rookie is quickly making a name for himself after battling Cowboys WR Dez Bryant on “Monday Night Football.” The Vikings lack a dynamic downfield threat, but matchups against big-play artist Cordarrelle Patterson should prove interesting.
*Fast facts: Redskins coach Jay Gruden and Vikings coach Mike Zimmer spent three years together on coach Marvin Lewis’ staff in Cincinnati. Zimmer interviewed for the Redskins job that ultimately went to Gruden last offseason. Zimmer said he will not overthink the gameplan due to Gruden’s familiarity because, “What you don’t want to do is mess up your players.”
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
If Romo couldn’t handle the Redskins’ pressure last week, what does that portend for a rookie seeing coordinator Jim Haslett’s exotic 3-4 scheme for the first time?
*Our pick: Redskins 20-13
