WASHINGTON at MINNESOTA
|
|
Teams |
|
|
7-7 |
Overall Record |
8-6 |
|
1-5 |
|
2-3 |
|
15.68 YPPA (13) |
|
18.21 YPPA (3) |
|
16.77 YPPS (22) |
|
14.61 YPPS (10) |
|
15.7 (16) |
|
19.0 (20) |
|
16.7 (16t) |
| 15.0 (13) |
|
6.10 (16) |
|
6.02 (17) |
|
|
|
82.4 (17) |
|
-8 (23t) |
|
+25 (2) |
|
+6.5 |
|
-6.5 |
|
40.5 |
|
40.5 |
The Redskins' mediocrity has reached epic proportions.
With two weeks to go, they:
- Have won as many games as they've lost (7-7)
- Have scored 275 points and allowed 283
- Have amassed 4,743 yards and allowed 4.609
- Are 16th in Offensive Hog Index, Defensive Hog Index and Passing YPA
- Have an average rank of 16.9 in the Quality Stats, which is more or less the NFL median
So the question is, are the Minnesota Vikings 6.5 points better than the average NFL team?
Well, the Vikings aren't that great
in the Quality Stats either, but they have a huge edge on the Big Play
Index -- they're +25 to Washington's -8. This wasn't a factor last week
vs. Chicago, as Minnesota lost the Big Play battle 4-3 but won the game
20-13.
Assuming the Big Play difference
returns to form this week (where Minnesota is +2 a game better than
Washington), the Vikings are the superior team. Washington's run-first
attack doesn't translate against Minnesota (No. 2 in the NFL in
yards-per-rush allowed), so they'll have to go to the air with backup
Todd Collins.
And Minnesota's No. 3 Bendability
should be a factor against Washington's No. 22 Scoreability, suggesting
that touchdowns will be hard to come by for Washington.
The young Vikings looked awed by the national spotlight last week; if they've adjusted, they should cover easily.
The score: Minnesota 31, Washington 13
