Game Preview, Week 9: Minnesota at Washington

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November 4, 2022

by Steve Thomas

Well, the Redskins the Washington Football Team the Commanders Washington has had a quality run, with three victories over teams that they should have beaten, taking a step up from the dregs of the NFL where they fell earlier in the year.  Is Washington now ready to take another step up into the ranks of the solid, quality teams?  This week’s contest make just answer that question, as the first place, 6 – 1 Minnesota Vikings come to town.  They’re led by former Redskins quarterback Kurt Kirk Cousins who’s almost certain to have a chorus of boos raining down on him from the home crowd.  The Vikings, though, have beaten a bunch of lesser and mediocre opponents and were thoroughly stomped by the league-best Philadelphia Eagles.  Does Washington therefore have a legitimate shot at yet another win?  Maybe.  We’ll find out on Sunday.  Our game preview is below.

Game time & location:          Sunday, November 6, 2022, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fed Ex Field, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open                                                             11:00 a.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 8:00 a.m.; all other parking lots 9:00 a.m.

Television:                              FOX

Television announcers:         Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth

TV broadcast map:                 click here

 

DC-area radio:                         Big 100 (WBIG-FM)

Washington radio network:  click here

Vikings radio network:          click here

Satellite radio:                        SiriusXM: 232 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831 (Wash. broad.)

 

Washington roster:                click here

Washington depth chart:      click here

Vikings roster:                        click here

Vikings depth chart:              click here

 

Records: Washington 4 – 4 (home: 2 – 2); Minnesota: 6 – 1 (away: 2 – 1)

All-time head-to-head record vs Vikings: 10 – 12 – 0 (last 10: 3 – 7; streak: 0 – 2)

Last meeting: L, October 24, 2019, 9 – 19

Early odds: Vikings, -3.5

3 KEYS TO THE GAME

Slow down Dalvin Cook

Minnesota’s offense definitely has significant talent, but the key for Washington is to stop Dalvin Cook, who remains the most dangerous talent on the field.  He’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and Washington has surrendered 4.6 yards per carry this season, which is ranked 20th.  Being able to limit his effectiveness is an important key to the Washington’s ability to keep Minnesota’s office somewhat in check.

Focus on attacking the short middle of the Vikings defense

Patrick Peterson, the star corner who’s going to get serious hall of fame consideration after he retires, roams the Vikings’ secondary.  Further, we’ve seen pretty convincingly that Taylor Heinicke – when he’s having a good day – is probably best in the short to middle range.  I think Minnesota’s linebacker group is more vulnerable than is the secondary.  For that reason, Washington’s offense should lean on a game plan that is heavy on the shallow middle, particularly with the running game being mostly ineffective this season.

Don’t let the moment become too big

Washington is playing for its fourth win in a row, at home, against the Kirk Cousins-led first place Vikings.  These type of moments normally don’t go well for Washington teams.  This season, we’ve seen Washington, particularly Heinicke, start slowly.  This is not the game for that to happen.  In order to get a win, we need to see a consistent, producing offense, not a trainwreck for two quarters and a productive offense for the other two.

3 KEY MATCHUPS

Terry McLaurin vs. Patrick Peterson

This is the most high-profile matchup of the game.  Terry McLaurin has been on a roll over the past two weeks, culminating with the big, game-saving catch on the one yard line late in the fourth quarter last week.  Many eyes will be on this matchup.  McLaurin hasn’t always gotten the better of opposing elite-level corners, so keep an eye out on how well he’s doing when matched up on Peterson.

Benjamin St-Juste vs Justin Jefferson

Jefferson plays out of the slot quite a bit, so we most likely won’t see this matchup on a regular basis.  Regardless, though, watching Washington’s #1 corner try to slow down Minnesota’s star receiver will be a fun battle to keep an eye on during the game.  This is a time for St-Juste to continue to build his reputation.  Watch out for this one, and hope Jefferson spends more time on the edge than he usually does.

Charles Leno vs. Za’Darius Smith

Smith already has a fairly stunning 8.5 sacks so far this year.  Charles Leno is going to be charged with protecting Heinicke’s blindslide against a somewhat under the radar but very serious threat.  If Heinicke is being consistently terrorized in this game, it’s likely going to come from Smith, so Leno’s ability to keep him in check is another important key to the game.

OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only) (starters in bold)

LP – limited practice                          FP – full practice                    DNP – did not practice

NIR – not injury related                      Q – questionable                     O – out

D – doubtful                                     NL – not listed

Washington Vikings
WR J. Dotson, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O S C. Bynum, NIR (Personal); Wed: DNP; Thurs: NL
LB C. Holcomb, foot; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O WR J. Nailor, illness; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: FP; game: Q
LB D. Mayo, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O DL D. Tomlinson, calf; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O
RB J.D. McKissic, neck; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O CB C. Dantzler Sr., neck; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP; game: Q
TE L. Thomas, calf; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP OLB Z. Smith, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP
TE C. Turner, concussion; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP WR A. Thielen, knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP
DT J. Allen, knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP
C T. Larsen, back; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP
DE S. Toney, calf; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q  

STEVE’S PREDICTION

Vikings win 24 – 17.  I don’t necessarily think Minnesota is an elite performing team by 6 – 1 standards, but they have alot of talent, and Washington’s defense hasn’t done particularly well against high performing offenses this year.  This game is most likely going to be a close affair, but the idea of Washington getting its fourth win in a row against a first-place opponent seems a bit too much to ask.

Inactives

WR Jahan Dotson

RB J.D. McKissic

LB David Mayo

LB Cole Holcomb

DE Shaka Toney

G Chris Paul

TE Cole Turner