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One team has seen its surprising early success come to a screeching halt. The other has a tenuous hold on the final NFC playoff spot after an up-and-down first half of the season.When the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins meet at FedEx Field on Sunday, a critical NFC playoff tiebreaker could be up for grabs.But the bigger question for both teams: Can they shake off brutal setbacks in recent weeks?The Redskins (4-3-1) were beaten in the final minute three weeks ago in Detroit and followed that game with a baffling 27-27 tie against Cincinnati in London where kicker Dustin Hopkins missed a 34-yard kick in overtime.Minnesota, meanwhile, has dropped three games in a row after a 5-0 start. The Vikings (5-3) once looked like the class of the NFC North. But after the Lions also handed them a stunning overtime loss last week -- Minnesota was up by a field goal with 23 seconds to play in regulation -- the recent skid has left them vulnerable.We have to get back to making sure that we execute what were trying to do as opposed to worrying too much about the Redskins, Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer said. Obviously, you always try to attack the areas that you think you can attack. But for us in this week and where were at, its more about just us executing and doing the things we can do well.The Vikings offense hasnt been very good without star running back Adrian Peterson (torn meniscus, right knee), who has been out since Sept. 18. Minnesota ranks 25th in points scored (19.4), last in yards per play (4.68) and yards per game (298.8) and 31st in rushing yards (72.6).Things havent shaped up the way weve wanted them to, but its only a couple plays away, said Minnesota wide receiver Stefon Diggs, a Maryland native who returns to play in front of friends and family in his home state. We have the guys that hone in on everything that they want to get done each and every day. Its going to shake the way its supposed to.The Vikings could find a tonic in a Washington defense that still struggles to get off the field on third downs (29th overall). The Redskins arent particularly stout on the defensive line and have issues at safety, where veteran Donte Whitner was signed Oct. 5 and is now the primary starter at strong safety.The Redskins have already lost DeAngelo Hall (torn ACL, right knee) for the season and Will Blackmon, his backup, expects to play this week with a cast on his left hand for a broken thumb. Diggs (48 receptions) can expect to see plenty of star cornerback Josh Norman, who has been a magnet for fines and penalties this season, but remains one of the games most physical corners.The key matchup is on the other side of the ball, however. The Redskins are without four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, who was suspended for violating the NFLs substance abuse program. Ty Nsekhe takes over. This summer, Washington general manager Scot McCloughan insisted that Nsekhe, a journeyman who spent several years in the Arena Football League before finally sticking in the NFL at age 29, could start for half the teams in the league.Maybe so.Now 31, Nsekhe, a mammoth presence at 6-foot-8, 350 pounds, started two games for the Redskins last year and held up well enough. But the Vikings defensive front is excellent.Even after three losses in a row they allow the fewest points per game in the league (15.8) and are eighth in rushing yards allowed (93.1).Minnesota will see a Washington offense that ranks 14th in points per game (23.3). But the Redskins are dangerous with weapons all over the field for quarterback Kirk Cousins.Wide receiver DeSean Jackson is nursing a shoulder injury and is listed as doubtful after not practicing all week.Jamison Crowder has 40 catches and has become one of the best slot receivers in the NFL. Tight end Jordan Reed (42 catches) is a matchup nightmare, but veteran tight end Vernon Davis (23 receptions) has been dangerous, too. And the reliable Pierre Garcon (36 catches) is a go-to option for Cousins on third down.The Vikings must win the battle at the line of scrimmage because if Washington figures out its red-zone issues it will score. The Redskins are fourth in yards per game (410.3), but 30th in red-zone percentage (40.63 percent).Part of that is due to Cousins two red-zone interceptions and a fumble by running back Matt Jones inside the 5-yard line in the Detroit game on Oct. 23. But defenses are taking away Cousins options, too.There are times where in the rhythm of the play guys arent going to always be open in the end zone, Cousins said. If teams play max coverages and cover people, maybe everyones not open and thats where I look and say, Can I scramble? Can I make a play off-schedule?The Redskins have protected Cousins well by allowing sacks on only 3.42 percent of pass attempts. But Minnesota defensive ends Everson Griffen has six sacks and Danielle Hunter and Brian Robison have four apiece. Linval Joseph has three and is a big presence at nose tackle that Washington must account for without Williams.You hate to make one game more important than the other but these next two games in general are going to be important, said Redskins coach Jay Gruden, whose team plays Green Bay, another NFC North title contender, at home the following Sunday night. Theyre two home games that are very, very big for us. Were 4-3-1. Were right now currently (the No. 6) seed but were in a position where we dont have a lot of room for error. Avalanche Jerseys From China . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. John Wensink Jersey . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. http://www.cheapavalanchechinajerseys.com/tyson-jost-jersey/ . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. Nail Yakupov Jersey . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Tyson Barrie Jersey . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Sometimes, even Superman needs to sit one out and think things over.Cam Newton has carried a lot on his shoulders the past couple of years, and his shoulders arent the only part of him thats sore. A concussive blow to Newtons head knocked him out of last weeks game and will keep him out of Monday nights game. That blow could have been avoided if Newton had taken the clear path to the goal line -- as in, not through a linebacker -- on a two-point conversion attempt last Sunday. But his path isnt really the issue here.Look, no ones arguing that Newton deserved his concussion. The silver lining in the reigning MVPs injury is that it offers him a chance to take a break -- and maybe take stock.While Newton is fun and brilliant on the field, one of his problems right now is that hes playing both quarterback and running back. Newton has 188 rushing attempts since the start of the 2015 season. Thats 62 more than Russell Wilson, who has the second-most quarterback rushing attempts over that time, and more than all but 31 NFL running backs. Theres more: According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Newton has encountered contact 831 times while rushing or throwing the ball since his debut in 2011. The next-highest total over that time frame belongs to Wilson, and its 533. Thats a massive discrepancy.Newton runs the ball much more than any other quarterback and gets hit much more than any other quarterback, and wed all be fools if we failed to make a connection there. This is who Newton is, and its who the Carolina Panthers ask him to be. But maybe its time to think about changing things up a little bit. Maybe Newtons concussion-induced absence offers him and his team the chance to ponder whether running as much as Newton runs is really the best way to go.Again, not assigning blame here. Newton wasnt doing anything wrong when he waltzed toward an apparently wide-open end zone on that two-point try -- wasnt doing anything he hasnt done many times before. The point is that these kinds of injuries happen in football, regardless of how careful you are. Identifying the situations in which it makes sense to be careful can be a key to extending your career.Since entering the NFL, Newton has played with breathless abandon. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, hes bigger than many of the defenders who try to hit him, aand sometimes seems invincible.dddddddddddd. But if an injury to your brain doesnt make you question your invincibility, one must wonder what would.The facts of Newtons life right now include Hall of Fame talent and a good enough supporting cast to allow him to dream of the games greatest glory. He played in the Super Bowl eight months ago. He has an MVP award. He is merely 27 years old. With the way the games rules are set up now to protect quarterbacks, he easily has 10 years left -- maybe as many as 15 -- if he can keep himself healthy.Again, its about all those hits.Additionally, since this seasons opener in Denver, it has become disturbingly clear that opponents are interested in hitting Newton in the head. The leagues rules offer some protection against that, but that protection dwindles for a quarterback when he leaves the pocket and becomes a runner, and Newton does that often. Several of the Broncos quarterback hits in Week 1 were illegal and should have been penalized. The hit that knocked him out of last weeks game, however, was legal. It would not have happened if he hadnt turned himself into a running back for the sake of two points.I do not come to tell Newton how to play football -- only to point out some alarming numbers that seem to be resulting from his attempts to play the games most important position and its most dangerous at the same time. If thats the way he wants to play, thats his perfect right. I know I love watching him, as much as any player in the league right now, and playing this way has made him rich and famous and successful. If he comes back from this concussion next week or two weeks from now or two months from now and decides nothing needs to change, hey, its his life and his career.Its unfortunate Newton has a concussion and that he cant play this week. He absolutely must take as long as he needs to get back, and the leagues concussion protocol ensures he will, whether he likes it or not. But however long this break from football ends up being, it offers Newton and his team a chance to think about whether his playing style is really the best thing for him and for them moving forward. Its a conversation theyd be wise to have. ' ' '