Vikings vs. Redskins: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

The 5-9 Washington Redskins will host the 2-12 Minnesota Vikings on Saturday afternoon in Week 16, and while there may be no playoff spot on the line, both teams will be looking to close out their disappointing seasons on a high note.

Minnesota has been stuck in a rut all season long, and things certainly didn't get better last week, when the Vikes were throttled by the New Orleans Saints thanks to Drew Brees' five total touchdowns. On a positive note, however, running back Adrian Peterson returned and should be featured heavily on Saturday.

The Redskins have struggled for most of the season, but they have played much better lately with two wins in their past four games, all of which they were competitive in. The defense has done a pretty nice job all year long, and quarterback Rex Grossman has actually looked like a competent signal caller since regaining the starting job several weeks ago.

Perhaps there is nothing for these two teams to play for other than pride, but that can be a huge motivating factor for professional athletes. Both teams may be better off losing in order to bolster draft position, but they'll both battle til the bitter end.

Where: FedEx Field in Landover, Md.

When: Saturday, Dec. 24 at 1 p.m. EDT

Watch: FOX; KMSP-TV FOX 9 (Minnesota) and WTTG FOX 5 (Washington)

Listen: KFAN 1130 AM (Minnesota) and WTEM ESPN 980 AM (Washington); Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Internet 878 (Minnesota) and XM 235 (Internet 892, Washington)

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Betting Line: Washington (-6.5)

What's at Stake?

In all honesty, there isn't much at stake in this game. Every team wants to finish the season on a positive note in order to build toward next year, so that may be one selling point that each team's coaches are trying to push. In the grand scheme of things, though, winning really doesn't do either team much good.

The players won't think this way, but the only thing this game will affect is draft positioning. The Redskins will surely want to nab an elite quarterback early in the draft, so they could stand to lose these final two games while the Vikings have plenty of holes to fill also. The players and coaches want to win, but I doubt either front office would be too broken up if their team lost this one.

Vikings Injury Report

Questionable: DB Asher Allen (concussion), DB Chris Cook (non-injury)

Redskins Injury Report

Out: TE Fred Davis (suspension)

Questionable: RB Roy Helu (toe, knee), FB Mike Sellers (elbow), DB Josh Wilson (head)

Fantasy Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, Sleeper

Start: WR Jabar Gaffney (WAS): He is far from the sexiest fantasy starter, but Redskins receiver Jabar Gaffney has been a very consistent contributor in recent weeks. Gaffney has had at least five catches and 72 yards in four of his past five games, and he has two scores during that time as well. He should be targeted and found plenty against Minnesota's 30th-ranked pass defense.

Sit: RB Roy Helu (WAS): Redskins rookie running back Roy Helu has been a revelation late this season as the team's starter, but there is reason to be concerned this week. Helu is dealing with toe and knee injuries, and that may limit his playing time with the way head coach Mike Shanahan rotates running backs. It might be best to find a different option this week.

Sleeper: QB Rex Grossman (WAS): Unless you're in an incredibly deep league or have injuries, you would probably never consider starting Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman in your fantasy finals, but he has the potential for a big game against the Vikings' weak pass defense this week. Grossman has thrown for over 250 yards and multiple touchdowns in three of his last five games, and he should be able to do the same against Minnesota.

What They're Saying

The 2011 season started off great for the Redskins as they knocked off the division rival New York Giants in the season opener. Things went downhill from there, but the 'Skins have seen a steady upswing as of late, including a win over those same Giants this past week.

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan is quite encouraged by this late-season swoon, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post.

"

I thought we played extremely well as a unit yesterday against a very talented offensive team, Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said Monday. That’s coming off three good weeks of moving the ball pretty good.

Either you get better or you get worse, Shanahan said. You’re always hoping your football team is improving, even though you might not have anything to play for except for pride. We’ll get a chance to evaluate those guys on a day-to-day basis and obviously with a couple of games left, see who gives us the best chance to win next year.

"

Vikings Player to Watch: RB Adrian Peterson

After missing a couple weeks with an ankle injury Vikings running back Adrian Peterson returned last week against the New Orleans Saints. Peterson only carried the ball 10 times for 60 yards, but there wasn't much reason to risk further injury with the Saints in firm control of the game.

This week's game against Washington should be significantly closer, meaning the 'Skins will see a heavy dose of AP. Despite the fact that Peterson has dealt with some injuries, he is just 68 yards short of 1,000 on the season with 11 touchdowns as well. If the Vikes are going to win this game, then Peterson needs to show why he may be the best running back in football.

Redskins Player to Watch: WR Santana Moss

Since tight end Fred Davis was suspended for the remainder of the season due to a violation of the league's substance abuse policy, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney has been quarterback Rex Grossman's main target. Usual No. 1 receiver Santana Moss has slowly worked his way back from a broken hand, however, and he has been productive in his own right.

Moss hasn't been heavily targeted and he hasn't put up major yardage numbers, but he does have a score in consecutive games and he is the big-play receiver by default. The Vikings may commit an extra defender toward Gaffney, and that should open up some room for Moss.

Key Matchup: MIN Pass Rush vs. Rex Grossman

The Vikings may have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, but one way to neutralize that is a strong pass rush. The Vikes have one of the best pass rushers in the league in Jared Allen, but he doesn't get much help. If Allen can get to Grossman, though, then there is a good chance that he can force the inconsistent quarterback into some mistakes.

Grossman's issues with turnovers are well documented, and there is no better way to force turnovers than to fluster the quarterback. If the offensive line can neutralize Allen and Grossman, though, Grossman should be in for a very nice game against the Vikings secondary.

On the Hot Seat: QB Christian Ponder

Christian Ponder is only a rookie, and he has certainly had his ups and downs as starting quarterback for the Vikings, but there is reason to believe he could be playing for his job. The Vikings aren't totally out of it as far as the race for Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck goes, so it stands to reason that they could draft him if they get the No. 1 overall pick.

Even if they don't, though, Matt Barkley, Robert Griffin III and Landry Jones could all be options if the front office is unhappy with Ponder. I would tend to say that the organization will give Ponder at least one more year, but if his struggles continue, you never know.

Prediction

Redskins 24, Vikings 17