– The late-season push includes two objectives, both of which the Redskins hope carry them to the playoffs. They want to stop the run. They want to run the ball.
And here comes Minnesota. The Vikings are the best defense against the run. The Vikings are the best offense at rushing the ball.
“Most coaches would say the two things you’d love to be good at,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said, “are stopping the run and running. That’s a pretty dangerous combination. No one has dented that defense.”
The Redskins (7-7) have to figure out a way to do that if they want to remain in playoff contention. A loss equals elimination.
So Washington’s playoff hopes rest on finding a way to sustain a ground game and stop rookie sensation Adrian Peterson — as well as his backup Chester Taylor. Together, they’ve combined for 2,025 yards and a 5.6 yards-per-carry average. There’s a reason the Vikings’ one-dimensional offense put four players in the Pro Bowl. All are there because of the run game.
Considering the Redskins are down another starter with linebacker Rocky McIntosh sidelined, the task of stopping the run got a little harder. The Vikings stay balanced on the ground and won’t just run behind their powerful left side, even in short-yardage situations.
One Redskin, who has friends on San Diego, said Chargers players told him that Peterson is better than LaDainian Tomlinson.
“He stays patient and when nothing is there he can create stuff,” Redskins defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery said. “He has great acceleration. Everyone has to stay gap disciplined. If not, he’ll take it a long distance.”
Meanwhile, the Vikings rank first against the run and second in rush average. Of course, they’re also 32nd against the pass, though quarterbacks have a modest 82.4 rating against them, with 17 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions.
But they’re strong up the middle with Pro Bowl tackles Kevin and Pat Williams (no relation) and Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper. The Viking corners play the run exceptionally well. Washington is 11th rushing the ball.
Clinton Portis is coming off his third 100-yard game of the season, but he has nine games of 70 yards or less. He has 1,082 yards for the season.
“With the running game going the way it went all year,” Portis said, “for me to still be in the position I am now it only gives you hope to realize that if we had done something in the 12 games that we didn’t have a running game, imagine where I would be.
“If we could figure out what was wrong, we wouldn’t be in this position. We’d be wondering if we would all [need] to play next week.”
