The Washington Redskins came into Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings determined not to lose momentum after a huge road win in Seattle last week. What they said and what they did were two different things.
LANDOVER, Md. — The Washington Redskins came into Sunday’s game determined not to lose momentum after a huge road win in Seattle last week.
Washington Redskins wide receiver Maurice Harris (13) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins wide receiver Maurice Harris (13) collides with Minnesota Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes (26) as he rolls into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins wide receiver Maurice Harris (13) pulls in a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins wide receiver Maurice Harris (13) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins free safety D.J. Swearinger (36) celebrates his interception of a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) scores on a quarterback keeper during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis (85) leaps over Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and strong safety Andrew Sendejo (34) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) dives through the line on a keeper for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) celebrates running back Latavius Murray’s touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) carries the ball past Washington Redskins free safety DeAngelo Hall (23) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
This Nov. 12, 2017 photo shows Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) warming up before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md. When Case Keenum sat down at his locker, Bridgewater flashed a smile and said he was talking trash about his fellow Vikings quarterback. Bridgewater had nothing but glowing reviews of Keenum, whose play has Minnesota building a five-game winning streak to sit atop the NFC North at 7-2. But now that Bridgewater is healthy and active 14½ months since a career-threatening knee injury, coach Mike Zimmer could have some decisions to make at the QB position
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) celebrates wide receiver Jarius Wright’s touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jarius Wright (17) carries the ball past Washington Redskins free safety D.J. Swearinger (36) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) lands in the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
What they said and what they did were two different things. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns, as the Minnesota Vikings dominated the Redskins en route to a 38-30 win, dropping the Redskins a game below .500.
The defensive problems started on the first Vikings possession, as wide receiver Stefon Diggs beat Josh Norman for a 51-yard gain, setting up a touchdown.
“We played like trash in the secondary, we really did,” Norman said. “We didn’t have it today. I don’t know what it was.”
The Vikings scored 21 unanswered points at one point, and scored touchdowns on four straight possessions to take a 35-17 lead. A Kirk Cousins ill-timed interception was thrown in there right before the half, setting up a Vikings score.
Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen looked like Jerry Rice out there, catching eight passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. Diggs finished with four catches for 78-yards and a touchdown.
Another stat that has been an ongoing issue for the Redskins’ defense was the Vikings going 8 for 12 on third down. Again, the Redskins defense couldn’t get off the field.
“We relaxed as a defense,” he said. “I guess we got too high on ourselves for whatever reason, I don’t know why. We weren’t ready to play.”
That cannot happen in this league, especially against a first place team that came in 6-2.
The Redskins picked a bad time to have their worst defensive game of the year.
But, it wasn’t just the defense that had issues Sunday. The offense left a number of points on the field as well. Cousins threw for 327 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for two scores.
In the second quarter, Cousins found Chris Thompson for a 27-yard gain on fourth down. The ball was a little high, causing Thompson to stumble as he caught it. If he stays on his feet, it’s a touchdown. They settled for a field goal.
Josh Doctson would have had a touchdown on first and goal a little later, but tripped and fell on the turf. Two plays later, Crowder dropped a would-be touchdown and the Redskins settled for a field goal.
The Redskins were just 2-4 in the red zone and 5-14 on third down.
Next week the Redskins go to New Orleans to face the Saints in a game that becomes a lot more critical in the playoff race. The Saints are a team that has won seven straight games and put up 47 points against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Injury report
Jay Gruden said that three players will have MRIs on Monday.
Running back Rob Kelley injured his ankle and knee and was seen leaving the locker room on crutches and a walking boot,
Safety DeAngelo Hall was diagnosed with a knee sprain.
Linebacker Will Compton has a foot sprain.
Wide receiver Ryan Grant was diagnosed with a concussion and did not return.
