A Purple Christmas

The Minnesota Vikings can definitely make this a "Purple Christmas" this year with a win on Sunday. If Minnesota can defeat the Washington Redskins Sunday Night they will be one game away from clinching a playoff birth at the very worst. However, with a Viking win and a New Orleans loss to Philadelphia at home, the Minnesota Vikings will clinch the Wild Card spot before Christmas.

The Vikings and Redskins will be meeting for the 19th time in their history, and it's the Redskins who hold the series edge 10-8. However, the Vikings who have won three of the last four meetings between the two clubs, and it's Minnesota who is on a five game win streak with showing little signs of slowing down.

The Minnesota Vikings will be led by second year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson who did not have the start he was looking for on Monday Night Football, is set to take the big stage again this Sunday Night at the Metrodome against the Washington Redskins. Jackson who has not yet faced the Redskins, will be looking to improve on his game this week. But with a 50.0% quarterback rating from last week that won't be very tough. If Tarvaris can pull it back together, and start the game with some big plays and connect with his receivers, he could set the pace of the game and make it a very long night for Washington and their fans. By making some passes early on, Washington will not be able to stack the box with eight guys due to Jackson's ability of hitting the receivers down field. If this happens, Washington will need to play for pass protection, and this will open up the field for Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson to do their thing. If Jackson is unable to make the necessary plays early on, it could be a long night for Viking fans. Whatever the case my be, Viking fans should rest easy because Jackson has not had back-to-back weeks of multiple interceptions all season. Look for Tarvaris to step up his game, be much more improved this week, and pass early against this Redskins 18th ranked pass defense.

Adrian Peterson has had back-to-back weeks of sub 100 yard games for the first time this season. Peterson is tough to stop anytime during a game. He is a constant threat to break the game open anytime, and Minnesota's opponents know this. This will a true test for both Washington and Minnesota. The Redskins have never seen the likes of Adrian Peterson this season, and it will be interesting to see if they can stop him. However this is one of the toughest defenses in the league on the rush, and Peterson will be tested plenty. Adrian Peterson is a power running back, and the Washington defense will have to learn how to stop such a play maker. Look for Peterson to have another break open game Sunday Night and rush for over 100 yards.

The other half of the best running team in the NFL is Chester Taylor. Between Taylor and Peterson the Vikings average 169.6 yards per game, which is ranked first in the NFL. Taylor is averaging 5.3 yards per carry this season, and will be another tough player for Washington to contend with. No team in the NFL has a running tandem like Peterson and Taylor, and the advanyage Minnesota has with these two players is remarkable. Taylor plays off Peterson and Peterson plays off Taylor. If one is having a rough game, the other can pick up the slack. Both running backs are deadly and either can break the game open at anytime. This power running unit of Peterson and Taylor should have a big game Sunday Night.

With the marked improvement of Bobby Wade as of late, has helped the Vikings to keep their passing game alive. Wade had six completions for 70 yards, including a 19 yard reception. Wade is the team leader in receiving with 46 receptions for 521 yards. Wade is followed by Sydney Rice who has 31 receptions for 396 yards, Visanthe Shiancoe with 23 receptions for 303 yards and Robert Ferguson who has 23 receptions for 301 yards. It was Ferguson who led the Vikings in yards Monday Night with 2 receptions for 79 yards, including his 71 yard burst to the one yard line, setting up the Adrian Peterson touchdown in the third quarter. With the injury to Sydney Rice this week, the uncertainty of his playing, could hinder the Vikings if he's out. However, the Robert Ferguson playing much better this week, then Visanthe Shiancoe will see more playing time as well. Minnesota should reactivate Troy Williamson for Sunday.

The Vikings defense is still ranked number one against the rush. With the threat of Clinton Portis in Washington's backfield, Minnesota will need to contain him and make Washington a one dimensional team. By stuffing Portis early, the Vikings can set the stage and put the pressure on back up quarterback Todd Collins to make the plays. On the season, Collins has completed 23 of 45 passes for 390 yards. He has thrown two touchdowns, no interceptions, fumbled the ball once and has been sacked three times. If the Vikings can stuff Portis, and put pressure on Collins early, it will be a long night for Washington. With the number one rush defense in the league, I have no doubt they will contain Portis. My concern comes with our 32nd ranked pass defense and containing Santana Moss.

Minnesota's pass defense is ranked dead last in passing yards. However, in the last six games they have allowed only four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. They have also recorded 13 sacks, seven interceptions and six forced fumbles. With the injury to Antoine Winfield, the Vikings will turn to Marcus McCulley in replacement. McCulley has made 57 tackles this season, of which 47 are solo. He also has one fumble recovery. Furthermore, in defensive players like Ben Leber, Darren Sharper, Spenser Johnson, Dwight Smith, Pat and Kevin Williams and Chad Greenway, who all have interceptions this season, will keep the Vikings a very stingy defense on Sunday. This Vikings defense is only allowing 18.4 points per game, while our offense scores 23.2 points. Look for more of the same type of playing from our Viking defense, as they keep Santana Moss at bay.

With the Washington Redskins being able to put up only 19.6 points per game and their defense allowing 20. 2 points, look for a low scoring game Sunday Night. Minnesota's offense has shown they can play in the NFL and that this team does belong here. To all our doubters and nay-sayers, I say..... let's keep moving forward and make this a "Purple Christmas."

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!