Vikings vs. Redskins: 5 Halftime Adjustments Skins Must Make

The Washington Redskins have been out of playoff contention for weeks (they were mathematically eliminated two games ago), but surprisingly they have not quit on the season.

The last five games the Redskins have played have all come against teams that currently sport .500 records or better. They won two of them, lost to the Dallas Cowboys in overtime, lost to the New England Patriots by seven (after a potentially game-tying Santana Moss touchdown was negated by offensive pass interference), and blew a fourth-quarter lead against the New York Jets.

The Redskins are playing good football right now, and they finally get a break with the 2-12 Minnesota Vikings coming into town. The Vikings haven't won a game since October.

With postseason hopes a thing of the past, the Redskins are just trying to build momentum for next season. A winning streak to finish the year could be integral in starting 2012 off on the right foot. After beating the New York Giants in the Meadowlands last week, that seemed very possible with the Vikings visiting FedEx Field.

However, this game has not gone so well for the Redskins thus far. They fell behind 10-0 early before finally scoring.

Here are five halftime adjustments Mike Shanahan and his team need to make to get back into this one and win consecutive games for the first time since the first two weeks of the season.

1. Stop Making Stupid Mistakes

The first Vikings touchdown was greatly aided by penalties. The Redskins inexplicably lined up offside on 4th-and-4 when the Vikings were punting the ball away. Two plays later, Reed Doughty got a 15-yard personal foul for hitting Christian Ponder helmet-to-helmet when Ponder was sliding. The Redskins can't afford to give the Vikings any more breaks in the second half.

2. More Easy Throws for Rex Grossman

Rex Grossman only completed one of his first six passes (most of the attempts were downfield), and the Redskins offense subsequently stalled on the first few drives. However, on their first touchdown drive, the Redskins used a lot of screens and on the touchdown a quick slant to Donte Stallworth. These short passes will help get Grossman going, and the Redskins need more of them.

3. Get Back To the Run Game

On their first two drives, the Redskins threw the ball six times and only ran it three times. They had considerably more success on their later drives where they had better balance. They need to use the run game to open things up for the passing game.

4. Slow Down Christian Ponder

Christian Ponder had a great start to this game, completing eight of his first 12 passes as he led the Vikings on three long drives (two of them scoring). The Redskins defense needs to get more pressure on Ponder and force him to make mistakes.

5. Remember They're Playing the Vikings

The Redskins have played a very tough schedule the last few weeks. They're finally playing a weak opponent, and they should be clobbering them. They need to come out in the second half and put the Vikings away.