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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.Derwin James Jersey . Hey!" The lower tier of the School End of Queens Park Rangers Loftus Road was packed solid with a very festive-sounding Chelsea choral section in this particular part of South Africa Road London, W12. Philip Rivers Womens Jersey .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. http://www.chargersauthenticofficialonline.com/authentic-customized.html . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. Melvin Ingram Womens Jersey . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Nasir Adderley Womens Jersey .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage.Nottinghamshire 128 for 1 (Wessels 80*) beat Worcestershire 124 for 8 (Cox 37*) by nine wicketsScorecardA brutal innings from Riki Wessels helped Nottinghamshire to their second NatWest T20 Blast victory of the weekend with a one-sided nine-wicket victory over Worcestershire at Trent Bridge.Having toppled Northants on Friday evening, the Outlaws were equally ruthless in dismantling the Rapids to move into second place in the North Group table.Set to score 125 to win, Notts reached their target in only 12.2 overs with Wessels blazing an unbeaten 80, scoring his runs from only 35 balls, He hit six fours and seven sixes in one of the most brutal assaults witnessed on the ground for some time.Worcestershire limped their way to a score of 124 for 8, after morning rain had delayed the start by 15 minutes. Ben Cox made an unbeaten 37 and Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored 22 from 28 balls but far too many of their team-mates were guilty of gifting their wickets away.Put in, after Dan Christian had won his eighth toss out of 10 for the Outlaws this season, the Rapids lost their way as early as the third over when Joe Leach fell for 18.Leach had shown signs of intent by hoisting Harry Gurney for the only six of the innings but then perished to a catch at long-on from Jake Balls bowling.ddddddddddddChristian took pace off the ball as soon as the Powerplay overs had been completed and was rewarded as Imran Tahir, Steven Mullaney, who took two for 26, and Samit Patel dried up the runs and picked up crucial wickets in the middle overs.Tahir was the only bowler not to take a wicket but was nevertheless instrumental in throwing down the stumps to run out Brett DOliveira off his own bowling and then gathered a Ball return to dismiss Daryl Mitchell in the same way.The chase soon became a formality, even though Michael Lumb fell to Matt Henry in the fourth over.By then Wessels had already hit his straps, hitting Leach for 4646 at the end of the second over. The 30-year old continued in the same aggressive manner and brought up his fifty with his sixth maximum, from just 17 balls, the quickest in the competition this year.Greg Smith provided additional firepower from the other end, hitting Matt Henry over the ropes on his way to an unbeaten 32 from 27 balls. ' ' '