ESPN Insider: Scouts Inc: Scouts Inc. Previews Vikings @ Redskins

[bubba9497]

http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting?gameId=250102028

Why To Watch

A 28-yard desperation touchdown pass as time expired in the final regular-season game last year knocked Minnesota out of the playoffs, and history could repeat itself. The Vikings would find themselves out of the playoffs if they lose and both Carolina and. St. Louis win.

Look for the Vikings to play extremely hard consequently, but Washington's outstanding defense won't make it easy. The Redskins should have some success slowing down Minnesota's running game, which means QB Daunte Culpepper needs to have a strong game.

Will Culpepper lead the Vikings into the postseason or will Redskins QB Patrick Ramsey benefit from having the superior defense and make enough plays to give Washington the win at home?

When the Vikings have the ball

Rushing: RB Michael Bennett is expected to continue to start, but Minnesota could have a hard time establishing the running game regardless of who lines up in the backfield. No team is giving up fewer yards per carry than Washington.

The key for Bennett when he runs between the tackles will be attacking the hole and continuing to run with his pads low to the ground so he can pick up some yards after contact. Taking what the defense gives him will allow him to pick up three to four yards per carry and help keep the Redskins' aggressive defense off balance.

The Vikings will try to help the explosive Bennett by frequently pulling an offensive lineman around the play-side corner when they attack the perimeter. It's critical that the pulling lineman takes a good angle to his block. SLB Marcus Washington has the burst to make plays in the backfield and WLB Lemar Marshall is coming off one of his best games of the year.

It's also important to note that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will bring some pressure off the edge depending on the situation. Minnesota can take advantage by running some draws. Bennett possesses good vision, allowing him to locate the seam when the Redskins get caught too far upfield, and his speed makes him extremely dangerous once he gets behind the first level of defenders.

Passing: Washington will test the Viking's pass protection, which has been extremely inconsistent, by blitzing early and often. The good news for Minnesota is Matt Birk, who had missed the previous four games recovering from hernia surgery, returned to the starting lineup last week. While Birk was clearly rusty, he is the leader of this offensive line and does good job of keeping everyone on the same page.

In addition, getting to Culpepper and bringing him down are two very different things. Williams likes to blitz corners at times and they may have problems getting the powerful Culpepper on the ground. If the protection consistently picks up the blitz and/or Culpepper can buy some time in the pocket he should get some opportunities to throw downfield.

The Redskins will frequently bracket WR Randy Moss with CB Shawn Springs and FS Sean Taylor, but Taylor is overaggressive at times. When he gets caught out of position it will open the door for Moss to make a few big plays in the vertical passing game and stretching the defense will be important.

Forcing Washington's safeties to play a little deeper off the line will help open up the middle of the field for WR Nate Burleson. Burleson runs crossing routes well, he can catch the ball in-stride and takes little time to reach his top speed.

When the Redskins have the ball

Rushing: RB Clinton Portis, who tore a tendon in the pectoral muscle near his sternum last week, will miss this game and Ladell Betts is expected to replace him. Betts doesn't have Portis' elusiveness or breakaway speed, but he reads blocks well and runs with good power. Expect Washington to show a strong commitment to the running game despite the absence of Portis, as Betts will be working against a Vikings' defense that is giving up an average of 4.7 yards per carry.

The hope is consistently handing the ball to Betts keeps Minnesota's front four on its heels and allows the Redskins to control the clock, effectively limiting Culpepper's opportunities to put points on the board. It's also worth mentioning that Vikings MLB E.J. Henderson, who is admittedly coming off a strong game, hasn't always filled the correct gap he will get caught out of position at times.

As a result, the Redskins' counters could give him problems, especially since Betts is a patient runner who will allow his blocks to develop and Henderson struggles to shed blocks quickly. Minnesota defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell will likely counter by walking SS Corey Chavous up to the line of scrimmage. Playing Chavous in the box will make the Vikings' vulnerable to play-action, but it's the lesser of two evils because Ramsey has been inconsistent.

Passing: DTs Kevin Williams and Spencer Johnson are doing an excellent job of shedding blocks quickly and that doesn't bode well for Ramsey. Washington's interior offensive linemen are far better drive blockers than they are pass blockers, so they will have some problems keeping Williams and Johnson out of the backfield.

The ability of Williams and Johnson to apply pressure up the middle will force Ramsey to roll toward one of the defensive ends who should be in position to make the play. The Redskins will likely try to help Ramsey by commonly keeping a back in to help out on obvious passing downs. It will be the responsibility of the back to help the interior offensive line and pick up any defenders that slide through.

They will also run some three-step drops that allow Ramsey to neutralize Minnesota's pass rush by getting rid of the ball quickly, but Ramsey will have to take a shot downfield at some point. If he doesn't, the Vikings will crowd the run and the short-to-intermediate passing game. As a result, look for Washington to take some chances in the vertical passing game on first or second down and certain short-yardage situations. Throwing downfield in situations that teams generally run in will help keep Minnesota off balance.

Scouts' Edge

Washington's defense and commitment to the running game will keep the score close, but Minnesota will eventually build a lead that forces the Redskins to abandon the run in an effort to come back. The Vikings' front four will be extremely aggressive once it doesn't have to worry about defending the run as much and it should have success getting to Ramsey.

Ramsey doesn't always make sound decisions under pressure, so expect him to make some critical mistakes. Although Minnesota won't have its best day running the ball, Bennett will keep Washington honest. In addition, Culpepper will make some big plays with his feet as well as his arm, which will ultimately be the difference in this game.