Week 8 - Thursday

'75 Minnesota vs. '91 Washington

The Redskins travel to Minnesota fresh off a win to take on the 3-4 Vikings. The Skins, despite being on top of the NFC East, are one game from being knocked down. The Vikings have shown some impressive ability all year, but need a big win to start moving up.

Minnesota took an early lead with 5 minutes left in the 1st quarter, as Tarkenton hit Gilliam on a 13 yard throw. Later, the Skins retaliated, putting together a nice drive, in which Riggs easily blew past the Purple People Eaters for the 1 yard score.

Unfortunately for Washington, Tarkenton wasn't quite done yet. In fact, with 21 / 29 on the day, it was rare Tarkenton wouldn't make a good throw. Early in the 2nd quarter he found Foreman for 11 yards to put Minnesota ahead again.

The Redskins on offense again just couldn't move, and being pinned on their own 1, tried to punt to get some room. But Minnesota came up with a huge block that was taken for the TD, and Minnesota went up 21-7.

Rypien didn't give up, and as he closed in on the red zone, Byner came up with a huge 17 yard run play to put the Skins back in the game, 21-14.

Minnesota would move their lead to 10 points on a late 20 yard FG by Cox, and each team would get a well needed regroup at half time.

Whatever happened at half time, I think had the opposite effect the coaches were going for. The 2nd half saw both teams struggle. Rypien was only 11-23, most of those drops coming from the 2nd half. Minnesota racked up 6 penalties on the day to the 'Skins 1. This was just a sloppy 2nd half.

The Vikings managed a few more FG's from 40+ out to take the win, 30-14.

On the numbers, the Vikings had a good game, with 444 total yards. 164 of their 166 rush yards were split between 5 carriers. Tarkenton also spread out his receivers well. But the biggest thing that stands out for him is the 72.4 completion %, 2 TDs and no picks. This is the Vikings team we know can be deadly and need to watch out for.

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