Redskins vs. Vikings: What Are Experts Saying About Washington?

Thanks to their 20-17 overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins have a winning streak for the first time since 2012.

Now at 3-5, Washington's playoff hopes have gone from nonexistent to slim. But with its next two opponents sporting sub-.500 records, Washington reaching .500 is a stark possibility. 

First things first, though. The task at hand is defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9. With that said, let's find out what the experts are saying about Washington ahead of this contest.

Rich Tandler: DeSean Jackson Is Having a Historic First Year in Washington

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Signed to a three-year, $24 million contract after being unceremoniously dumped by the Philadelphia Eagles, DeSean Jackson has validated the Redskins' investment in him thus far.

Jackson leads the team with 663 receiving yards and has lived up to his reputation as a deep threat by garnering nine receptions of 20 yards or more.

As CSN's Rich Tandler notes, it's the latter feat that has Jackson approaching one of Washington's receiving records:

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Jackson has the potential to have one of the best receiving seasons in Redskins history. The last Redskin to average over 20 yards per reception in a season with at least 30 catches was tight end Clint Didier in 1986 (32 rec./20.4 avg.).

If Jackson can maintain his current average and catch 50 passes on the season, he would be the first 50-catch Redskin to average 20 per catch since Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell did it in 1963 (69 rec./20.8 avg.).

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With an outside shot at surpassing Santana Moss' franchise record of 1,483 yards in a season, Jackson has distanced himself from Pierre Garcon, making him the clear-cut No. 1 receiver on the team's roster.

Slated to face a Vikings secondary that's fourth in the NFL in pass defense, it'll be interesting to see if Jackson can replicate the 26.8 yards per reception he's recorded the past four games.

Jason Reid: Jay Gruden Is Taking Charge

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Despite going through a 13-loss season in 2013, Washington made only subtle changes to its roster in the offseason. The firing of Mike Shanahan and the hiring of Jay Gruden stood as the most substantial change.

But after a 1-5 start, it was apparent that the coach wasn't the only change that needed to be made. On the brink of losing a fifth-straight game, Gruden adjusted his starting lineup. At halftime against the Tennessee Titans, he promptly benched a struggling Kirk Cousins and Tyler Polumbus.

For The Washington Post's Jason Reid, it was here that the rookie coach finally took charge, and the result has been consecutive victories:

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The rookie boss took a big step forward, pushing buttons that helped the Redskins win consecutive games for the first time since the 2012 season. Along the way, Gruden established that he won’t sit on his hands. The Redskins needed a take-charge approach, and Gruden steadily has put his stamp on the club.

For the Redskins, it’s always brighter after beating Dallas. Long before the game’s opening kickoff, Gruden did his best work by shaking up the lineup.

Gruden stuck with the turnover-prone Cousins and Polumbus, whose deficiencies in pass protection at right tackle weakened the entire offensive line, as long as he could. A head coach should support players. Yet when you’re responsible for the win-loss record, no one should be considered untouchable.

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Tasked with eradicating the losing culture that has taken a hold of the team's locker room over the years, by holding players accountable, Gruden has taken the first step to bringing about change.

Whether or not Washington makes a push for the playoffs remains to be seen. But in knowing that a player's performance—and not his draft status or contract—will dictate playing time, you can be assured that Gruden will field his best team in pursuit of this goal.

Scott Hirsch: Bashaud Breeland Was a Draft Steal

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It wasn't too long ago that there was open dialogue about whether rookie Bashaud Breeland was a better fit at cornerback or safety. But after holding Dez Bryant to three receptions and 30 yards in front of a national audience in Week 8, there's not much of a debate these days.

Scott Hirsch of Redskins Hog Heaven went as far as to call the fourth-round pick the steal of the draft after his breakout performance.

Cast into a starting role in the wake of injuries to DeAngelo Hall and Tracy Porter, Breeland has had his growing pains this season. Known to be too hands-on with opposing receivers, the rookie has been penalized six times for 81 yards in eight games, both highs on the team.

Starting with his outing against the Titans, though, there's been noticeable improvement in Breeland's play. All five of his passes defensed on the year have come in the past two games. Additionally, he recorded his first career interception.

So although he was rushed and unprepared for his initial stint in the starting lineup, as his performance against Dallas indicates, the experience he gained has expedited his development.

John Keim: Will Alfred Morris' Workload Decrease?

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While he may stand as the NFL's sixth-leading rusher, Alfred Morris has no doubt struggled in 2014. Morris is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry this season, well short of his career average of 4.6 yards.

Coming off a three-game stretch in which this total dipped below three yards a rush, Morris' struggles came to a head towards the end of the first half against the Cowboys. With just 11 yards on five carries at the time, Morris watched on the sidelines as Gruden went with Roy Helu and rookie Silas Redd at running back on the team's final possession.

Although Morris did bounce back in the second half, to the tune of 62 yards on 11 carries, ESPN's John Keim wonders if this will be a trend going forward:

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The Redskins are trying to marry their outside zone system with what Gruden wants to do. You combine that...with Morris missing holes at times...and the blocking being subpar at times...and you have a struggling ground game. To run the outside zone, you must excel at blocking on the edges and the Redskins do not. Add it to the list of issues. Here's something to consider: Roy Helu has a combined 10 carries the past two games; he had a combined 20 in the first six.

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Slated to face a Minnesota defense that is 17th in rushing yards allowed, Morris has an opportunity to build on his second half against Dallas. But in light of what we've seen from Gruden in recent weeks, if he does indeed struggle, he may again find himself watching from the sidelines.

Dianna Marie Russini: Robert Griffin III Will Start Against Vikings

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While there was a minor quarterback controversy the last time a quarterback not named Robert Griffin III led the team to victory, there's no such chatter after Colt McCoy's win under center in Week 8.

In fact, according to NBC's Dianna Marie Russini, McCoy won't get an encore performance. Griffin will suit up against the Vikings, instead:

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Robert Griffin III will start against the Vikings on Sunday per multiple sources with the Redskins organization.

— Dianna Marie Russini (@NBCdianna) October 29, 2014"

After seeing how poorly an injured Griffin played in 2013, one would think that the quarterback is 100 percent healthy if he's set to make his first start since Week 2. A rusty Griffin could inhibit the team in its trek back to .500, but this is the right move for the franchise long-term.

Three years into his career, Griffin still is a relative unknown. Marred by injury, he has only 30 career starts under his belt. With Griffin eligible for a contract extension after the 2015 season, Washington is running out of time to see if he is a franchise-caliber quarterback.

Additionally, with the team actually owning its first-round pick this year, a struggling Griffin and a tanked season might mean Washington replaces him in the draft.

Either way you slice it, the team needs to see Griffin take as many snaps as possible in what's left of the 2014 campaign. If his ankle is up to task, regardless of McCoy's play, there's little reason to delay his return any further.