Preview of Vikings-Skins MNF matchup

By Krupka  |   Monday, September 11, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Minnesota Vikings
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
On Monday, rookie head coach Brad Childress will lead his Minnesota Vikings into familiar territory, when they battle the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field.

While it will be his first regular-season game as a head coach, Childress served as the offensive coordinator for the Skins' NFC East rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, from 1999-2005.

Unfortunately for Childress, he has the unfortunate task of debuting against arguably the top head coach in football, Washington's Joe Gibbs.

In any event, the 2006 Vikings will look much different than the 2005 version. And I don't just mean in appearance -- yes, the jerseys are different, but no longer will there be the circus act that surrounded the Mike Tice era. Order has been restored, quarterback Daunte Culpepper is gone, Brad Johnson is starting, and the offensive and defensive schemes are new. Of course, just about everyone knows that by now.

So, besides the new look and attitude, Monday provides the opportunity to finally put the over-exaggerated and needless talk of all the problems in the past. Please, Tony, Tony, Tony (Kornheiser), if you're reading, do not remind viewers about the scandals of the Tice-led Vikings. Those days are in the past.

Many fellow media pundits are already doubt this year's Vikings, citing anything and everything from the Chicago Bears' defense, to Childress being a first-time head coach, to the prevailing idea that the offense isn't going to be able to score.

Finally, Monday night, the Vikings have the chance to put it to rest. They can bury the past, and trudge on with the future.

The game should be a fairly low-scoring contest, but not because the offenses aren't good. Rather, the defenses of both teams should be excellent and both offenses are of the ball-control-type. If you like hard-hitting, smash- mouth football, this is certainly the game for you.

Key matchups:

Vikings DE Kenechi Udeze vs. Redskins RT Jon Jansen
Vikings DE Erasmus James vs. Redskins LT Chris Samuels

-Both tackles are considered to be elite. In fact, the duo of Jansen and Samuels, when healthy, may be the best in the NFL. James and Udeze are rising talents that are trying to make a name for themselves. The former first-round picks both focus on rushing the passer. If the two can fluster veteran quarterback Mark Brunell, it could spell disaster for the Redskins' offense.

Injury Reports:

Minnesota: CB Fred Smoot is questionable with a rib injury; RB Mewelde Moore is questionable with a knee. However, both are expected to play.

Washington: DE Renaldo Wynn is probably with an ankle injury; RB Clinton Portis, who has a hurt shoulder, is questionable. CB Shawn Springs, with an injury to his abdomen, is doubtful.

Game info:

Minnesota Vikings (0-0) at Washington Redskins (0-0).

Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.

When: 7:00 p.m. EST, Monday, Sept. 11, 2006.

Television: ESPN.

Weather Forecast: 77 degrees, 30 percent chance of rain.

Line: Washington is favored by 4.5.

Prediction: Minnesota 17, Washington 13.

Get more Minnesota Vikings coverage at RealFootball365.com
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (1)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report