Enemy Fan Forums: Washington Redskins

Well this seems to be a make or break game to see how our season is going to finish. The NFC is really bunched up with teams with 4-4 and 5-3 trying to most likely fight for wildcard spots. Vikings are 6-2 and atop their division. However the Redskins are 4-4 and significantly ahead of vikings in the power rankings at #10. Case Keenum is no world beater so our defense should be able to hold them to a low scoring game. They have a good defense so our run game will probably pretty minimal again. Hopefully we can slow their D down with screens, and short passes to take advantage of mismatches in the middle.

I see this as a must win game, especially with the Saints up next. Hopefully, the great finish of last week has given the offense the confidence it sorely needed to take some shots to our WR.

Redskins 24 Vikings 19

Vikes IR'd Bradford, but looks like Keenum was starting either way and he's been ok. That team is defense oriented, and they are legit very good. They seem to hope Keenum doesn't kill them, they have a decent RB tandem in Murray and McKinnon, and Rudolph, Diggs and Theilen aren't too bad. Getting them outside should help, but the offense will have its hands full and they need to generate some turnovers and win the field position battle.

The next two games will decide our season. We aren't winning the division. Minnesota and NO will more than likely be WC teams.

Despite that, I see this as a loss. 24-17.

I would go as far as saying we likely can't lose any games against an NFC opponent if we want to go to the playoffs. I would suspect that even with 10 wins, conference tie breakers will be important.

I think we can win this game, but it will be low scoring given that minnesota has a good D. So our defense is going to have to come up big again. The real good news for our defense is Keenum is not a mobile qb.

if we can't win this game then it again going to feel like two steps forward and three back.

Kirk played well considering most his throws he was getting hit as he released the ball. Statistically no not great but this was his best performance as a redskin for me. Kirk stepped up huge against Seattle!!! We will see which team shows up for a tough Vikings game.

The Vikings have not won against competitive teams. Not sure how I would lump the Redskins into that, but for all that matters:

Saints 29-19

Bucs 34-17

Bears (barely) 20-17

Packers (w/o Rodgers) 23-10

Ravens 24-16

Browns 33-16

Of all those teams, the Saints are the only winning record. BUT, it was also the first game of the season with Bradford, who was healthy, and Dalvin Cook. The offensive line is still shaky and they have some receiving options. If we can shut down the run game, and make Case throw more than he should. Keeping their defense on the field and tiring them out, I can't see a reason why the Skins should not win at home.

The simple version is: we're banged up all along the offensive line. You've got a good-to-great defensive line that should run roughshod our patchwork offensive line. There's not a whole lot to discuss until we get to the actual game.

I don't know who I would rather see under center between Keenum or Bridgewater. I guess Keenum since there is 2017 tape on him, and I don't want to think about Gruden having to plan for something he doesn't know (he's not what we call the most adaptive of coaches). Our defense probably won't get to whichever QB is back there, but they'll make it tough to grind yards (assuming the weather isn't completely slop ball again).


Still, if the injury bug goes the way it is going, there shouldn't be much question about what happens.

Keep in mind that Clemmings is our 4th choice.

This should be a good game, strength on strength. I expect a game similar to that of the Seahawks game. The Vikings defense is certainly elite, but our offense is better than their offense so as long as we can put up around 20 points again like we did against the Seahawks we should win.

Good news for Vikings fans is that Ioannidis is apparently out for this week. So, the interior of the line will be some combination of Ziggy Hood, Terrell McClain, and Stacy McGee. In other words, Case Keenum has little to fear about the top of the pocket collapsing.

Huge game once again, basically a must win for us if we want to keep up with Dallas (who should beat ATL).

Viks defense is top 5 in scoring D, they are tough and have as good a secondary as it gets.

If we can get our stars back healthy, I think we can take them. We need the fans to actually show up this time. I want to see Doc get at least 10 targets, he has proven to be a clutch catcher in tough spots.

I am drinking some Koolaid but I'm gonna say SKins win with a late INT by Josh, 24-20.

Cousins 280 yards 3 td 1 int

If we don't turn the ball over and stop Diggs from making huge chunk plays, we win.

Their combo on the right side of the Defensive Line is the best in league by far and its not close....DE Griffen and DT Joseph....

So they would be matched up against Clemmons and Kujo.

Their D safety pair is also top 3 in the league.

We need to get people back on the Oline and pass catchers or we lose.

Vikings were struggling w/ the Browns. They play in a dome and it's a road game for them. They also have Case Keenum and we need to get after him. If we protect the ball on offense and get the same performance we had from our d last Sun we can win this game.

Week 1: W at home over New Orleans, 29-19 Good win, but Bradford was healthy and played lights out.

Week 2: L at the Steelers, 26-9 Got blown the F out in an outdoor away game.

Week 3: W at home over Tampa, 34-17 We didn't know it at the time, but Tampa sucks.

Week 4: L at home against Detroit 14-7 Detroit's solid, but not great. That's some sh*tty offense by Min.

Week 5: W at Chicago, 20-17 A win outdoors, but congratulations you beat the Bears.

Week 6: W at home over Green Bay 23-10 Aaron Rodgers gets hurt early and that's all she wrote. If he doesn't get hurt?

Week 7: W at home over Baltimore 24-16 Baltimore's not terrible, but not good.

Week 8: W at Cleveland 33-16 It's the Browns, I mean come on.

Week 9: Bye

The most impressive fact on that list is week 9, the bye. They're coming back well rested. But otherwise I'm not impressed with their 6-2 record.

I think we win, 20-17.

Minny offense isn't great...they have a couple underrated WR but nothing that strikes fear....there is opportunity to get to the QB all over their Oline...but especially the inside.

This could be another defensive struggle...I think our Defense will be playing extremely confident based on last week's performance. Josh Norman makes a huge difference being on the field.

We really need at least 2 people back on the Oline...that defense front 7 of Minny is real deal.

Minnesota's defense has been excellent, but it has faced one offense currently in the top 10 in yards per game and two in points per game. Washington has played six games vs. teams in each category.

I don’t think the Vikes are quite as good as their record while I think we’re better than ours based on a brutal schedule so far. Winnable game especially if we can get some guys back. I see it as another dog fight like last week, something like 20-17.

It's terrible to say, but I would rather the OL sit this week. I know the Vikings front 7 are aggressive, and having our best players out there would give our offense a better shot at being effective, but I also think the risk of re-injury/aggravation is greater as well.

I guess that speaks tons to the confidence the defense has inspired because I think that they will keep the game winnable, and if they feel they need to put the team on their shoulders, that might make them even more hyped than last week, if that's possible.

Cousins was awesome on Sunday, delivering several big throws while staring down the gun barrel, knowing he was going to get blasted. It won us the game and he deserves mad props.

But remember, he had to stare down the gun barrel knowing he would get blasted, and he got blasted.

I don't want him doing that more often than he absolutely has to.

I think if folks on the O line can go, they should even if not 100%. The risk of re-injry is important and has to be calibrated for each individual, and we have to make sensible decisions, including whether going at less than 100% is going to render someone less effective than a backup.

But I am worried about the risk of new injury -- specifically, to Cousins -- if we don't have some of our starting O line playing. And if Cousins goes down, let's be honest, the season is truly over. And imagine how awful the contract discussions would be if he were to go out for the rest of the season after getting blindsided by Griffen (knock on wood).

Talked to a coworker today who is a Minnesota fan.

- He thinks the teams are about even and that this is the kind of game the Vikes "should" win but lose. He called it a "trap" game for them. I pointed out that we aren't a pushover and just beat Seattle in Seattle with essentially a JV line. He acknowledged it and basically said this was legitimately anyone's game.

- Also, apparently REALLY wanted Doctson last year. The fan base still talks about it apparently. Remember, with the next pick they chose Treadwell. He has 15 career catches - without missing games due to injury. Apparently, Treadwell is slow, can't separate and is seen a complete bust.

- Fan base thinks, if they can get KC in free agency, he could take them to the SB.

Every fanbase in the league who doesn't have a long term solution at quarterback are saying the same thing about Kirk Cousins. When Cousins re-signs with Washington, then the story will be that the Redskins overpaid for a decent, but not franchise-worthy quarterback that will never take the team to a Super Bowl.

How long was it since fans from other teams were jealous of things the Skins did and players they had?

This team is going in the right direction !

Every team has injuries, we just have more than anyone else. In the NFL you're only as good as your backups. Vikes are playing w/ Case Keenum.

Skol and hail to you Redskins fans---Vikes fan here.

This is a big game, and you all seem like respectable NFL fans, so I thought I'd hop on and give you one Vikings fan's opinion on our match-up. I went and watched all 8 of the Redskins games to see exactly what we are dealing with and here is what I saw from an outsider's perspective, and obviously you know more about this than me, but....

-Your defense seems solid and a bit under-rated to me. Capable of bringing lots of pressure, and your DB's play the ball well and make some real nice pass deflections. Swearinger is high risk/reward in coverage.

-Kirk Cousins looks to be hot and cold, but able to turn it up in the clutch moments. His cold moments look to be due to an injured O-line.

-You don't need reminding, but the O-line is hurt. Still, get rid of T.J Clemmings. He'll probably end up getting KC hurt. If Ty Nhseke comes back that will be a big boost. He really held his own against Griff last year.

-The running game is...not there. Except for a dynamic Chris Thompson, who has done damage in the screen game. The WR's appear good, but nothing amazing.

Some Vikings insight.

-The Vikings have killed opponents run games (except oddly enough, the lions game) and have done awesome against the screen. This is not good for Thompson on paper. The Vikes feast when the enemy is one-dimensional.

-Our D is lights out so far and is great on 3rd down. That being said, I feel we must create turnovers and maybe even get our first defensive TD of the season to win this game. We lost against the Lions and while our D played great, they also dropped 4 interceptions. Even if we hold you to a low point total, if we don't capitalize on those moments, I like your chances, because our O will probably need some help from them on Sunday.

-Do not sleep on Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, but the rest of the corp is nothing to be afraid of. These guys are very good route runners and have good chemistry with CK. Diggs runs 60% of his routes from the right side, and I believe that is where Norman plays, correct? Norman can stick him, so Thielen will probably be the go-to guy. So far nobody has really been able to shut him down completely. He's a chain-mover.

-Our O-line is much, MUCH improved over last years atrocity, but will be tested against you guys. Our RT is out and the original starting LG is coming back from injury, but this hurts us imo cuz I would actually rather stick with the backup LG. Case surprisingly has been pretty savvy in the pocket, but does not see the field well. Missed some TD opportunities.

Bottom Line: Despite the records, I see this as an even match-up and honestly think the Skins are a team that really can play a tight game with just about anyone in the NFL. They scare me more than the Lions who beat us. Punters pinning the opposition in the their own 10 will be HUGE for both sides. A punt coverage mishap might give either O enough life to take control. I would not be surprised if either team wins, but do think this game will be close all the way through.

My Prediction: Vikings 20 (1 offensive TD, 1 defensive) Redskins 16. Redskins look dead, stuck on their own 4 yard line to start the drive with 1:01 left in the game and 1 TO. But some KC magic later and the Redskins are inside the redzone looking to score. Then Everson Griffin gets his first sack of the game pushing the Skins back to the 17 yard line. With no TO they hustle to the line to spike the ball with 1 second on the clock, but the snap is accidentally fumbled on the exchange! KC picks it up and has to improvise on the fly, throwing it to Josh Doctson covered by Xavier Rhodes in the left corner of the endzone......where it floats just a little high and harmlessly out of bounds.

Respect and stay healthy. Skol

PS I'm glad we don't have Blair Walsh missing kicks for us anymore, thanks for Forbath

Good post. You really did your homework on the Skins !

We all agree it's going to be a tough, defense wins, tight game. Both OL will likely struggle. I do think KC can give us the edge over Keenum.

You nailed it, being able to get TJ Clemmings (and Catalina) off the field is key for us.

Getting Nsekhe and/or Long and/or Scherff back could be the difference maker!

Chris Cooley thinks very highly of Adam Thielen's route running, catching and run blocking abilities. Hope Dunbar is in a good day!

Enjoy the game!