The Washington Commanders (4-4, 2-2 Home) host the Minnesota Vikings (6-1, 2-1 Away) at FedEx Field on Sunday in a showdown of teams out to prolong winning streaks. The Vikings are three-point favorites, and the total is 43.5.
Minnesota is coming off a 34-26 win over the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium last Sunday, their fifth straight victory. Kirk Cousins was 24 of 36 for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Dalvin Cook ran 20 times for 111 yards and a touchdown.
He added five receptions for 30 yards. Justin Jefferson was targeted eight times, catching six passes for 98 yards. Washington won for the third straight game last Sunday, beating the Indianapolis Colts 17-16 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Taylor Heinicke threw for 279 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Curtis Samuel carried four times for 29 yards and added three catches for 50 yards. Terry McLaurin was targeted eight times, hauling in six receptions for 113 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since October 2019, a 19-9 win for the Vikings.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Vikings are averaging 24.7 points per game for the season, ninth in the NFL, and they are facing a Commanders defense that has surrendered 21.5 PPG (15th). Meanwhile, Washington has scored 17.8 points a game this season, 27th in the league, and Minnesota is allowing 20.6 PPG (14th).
The Vikings rank 12th in the league in passing yards per game (252.9) and 21st in rushing (108.6), while the Commanders are 17th in passing yards allowed per game (232.5) and 18th against the run (120.4).Washington is 15th in the league in passing yards per game (246.1) and 24th in rushing (104.4).
Minnesota’s defense has been most vulnerable through the air, as the Vikings are 30th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (294.0). Against the run, the Vikings are 8th (107.6). Minnesota has found the end zone on 67% of red zone trips this season, fifth most in the NFL, averaging 3.9 trips a game (11th).
Washington ranks as the lowest volume red zone offense in the league, moving inside the 20-yard-line just 2.6 times per game and scoring a touchdown on 52% of those possessions (20th). Minnesota has had trouble defending their own red zone, allowing opponents to find the end zone 78% of the time (32nd).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through seven games, Kirk Cousins has thrown for 11 touchdowns (5 INT) and 247.7 yards per game to lead Minnesota in passing. In three away games this season, he has four TDs (4 INT) and an average of 223.0 yards passing.
Dalvin Cook leads the team in rushing with an average of 80.1 yards a game over seven games. He has five touchdowns on the ground. Justin Jefferson is the Vikings’ leading receiver with 107.4 yards a game and two TDs.
He is averaging 7.4 receptions on 10.1 targets per game. Carson Wentz has 10 passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 248.2 yards per game through six games to lead Washington. In three home games this season, he has thrown for six TDs (3 INT) and an average of 294.3 yards.
Antonio Gibson has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 36.5 yards a game through eight games. He has four total touchdowns, two rushing and two receiving.
Terry McLaurin has been a key target in the Commanders’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and a 69.1 yard per game average through eight appearances.
SportsTips’ NFL Pick:
Minnesota Vikings (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
