As the Vikings look to bounce back at Washington from three consecutive losses, veterans in the locker room are using their experience to **keep their teammates in the right mindset**.
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press spoke with linebacker Chad Greenway, 33, and cornerback Terence Newman, 38.
Greenway said it's important to recognize that the NFL is "a week-to-week business."
"I think it's never more evident when you're winning multiple games in a row and you're losing multiple games in a row, because you can't get yourself too far up or down in this business," Greenway told Tomasson. "Everybody is just too good for that."
Newman said it was tough to lose their first home game against the Lions last Sunday, but he countered that it's not time to hit the panic button.
"It's too early to say this is like a heartbreaking loss, for the simple fact that we have eight games left," Newman told Tomasson. "Now, we can't win every game at home, but we still have a chance to do what we want to do this season. You've got to understand that all is not lost. You've got to right the ship and do it.
"It's no more talking about it," Newman added. "Now, we've got to put the actions into it."
Harrison Smith makes John Clayton's pro-team roster
ESPN senior writer John Clayton put together a **mid-season all-pro team roster**, assessing players from across the league. Clayton selected Harrison Smith as one of his safeties. He wrote:
It's probably a slight to Minnesota that Smith is the only Viking on my list – sorry, Everson Griffen, Anthony Barr and others. We'll be watching closely in the second half of the season.
Clayton had Smith playing in tandem with Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, praising Jenkins' ability to "jump into coverage and limit pass-catchers in the middle of the field."
The only other NFC North player to make the cut on Clayton's list was Lions returner Andre Roberts. Clayton wrote:
Roberts is among the leaders on kickoff and punt returns in a position that isn't getting as much work because the NFL is trying to minimize returns due to injuries.
*
*
Tesfatsion: Barr, Diggs Minnesota's biggest threats against Washington
Looking ahead to Sunday's matchup at Washington, Washington Post reporter Master Tesfatsion delved into the Vikings current situation and which players will prove the **most difficult for the Redskins to handle**.
As a general preview, Tesfatsion said the game looks to be a "winnable" one for Washington after Minnesota's recent losses. He wrote the following about the Vikings offense:
This offense isn't as good as it looked a few months ago. Minnesota lost quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and running back Adrian Peterson because of injuries, and Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner surprisingly resigned last week. While the Vikings traded for Sam Bradford, who has played well this season, they haven't been able to protect him. […] Stefon Diggs has shined despite Minnesota's offensive deficiencies. The Maryland product has 546 receiving yards on 48 receptions with two touchdowns in seven games.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tesfatsion pegged Anthony Barr as the biggest threat heading into the game.
*There are plenty of players to pick from on this defense, which ranks first in points per game (15.8) and third in total defense (298.9 yards per game). The Vikings have all-pro caliber players at every level, but linebacker Anthony Barr is the heart of Minnesota's defense. Although he hasn't had any noticeable splashy plays over the last few weeks, Barr is a dangerous outside linebacker with his size, speed and athleticism. *
