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LANDOVER, Md. -- It wasnt all that long ago that Mike Zimmers Minnesota Vikings and Jay Grudens Washington Redskins were both on lengthy winning streaks.Minnesota opened 5-0; Washington won four in a row at one point. When the Redskins (4-3-1) host the Vikings (5-3) on Sunday, the clubs will be trying to put an end to winless ruts that threaten to curb their playoff ambitions.It is a pivotal point. We need to put all our energy, our focus physically and mentally, into this game and into these next few weeks, Washington defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois said. This next stretch is going to tell you whos making the playoffs or not; if were going to win the division again or not.His coach, Gruden, concurred.The third-place team in the NFC East comes off its bye week after a loss and a tie that followed its four-game winning run, and after the Vikings come to town, the Redskins schedule does not get easier: vs. Green Bay, at Dallas, at Arizona, at Philadelphia.You hate to make one game more important than the other, but these next two games in general are going to be important. Theyre two home games that are very, very big for us, said Gruden, who was the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati when Zimmer ran the defense there. Were in a position where we dont have a lot of room for error.The NFC North-leading Vikings, meanwhile, have dropped three consecutive games.After the first five weeks, we were extremely confident. ... And the last three weeks, the confidence level has gone down, right? Zimmer said.But thats why this game is not just about the physical part of it, but its about the mental part of it, and the way the team feels about itself, he said. You start out a season and youre 0-2, everybody thinks youre awful. You start out the season 2-0, everybody thinks youre great. But theres so many fluctuations and emotions throughout a 16-game season.Here is what else to know about Sundays game:NO PRO BOWL TACKLE: Washingtons Pro Bowl left tackle, Trent Williams, begins his four-game suspension for violating the leagues drug policy, a major loss for a team that will plug in Ty Nsekhe at that key position. Nsekhe is a 31-year-old wholl be making the third NFL start of his career. Trent is in a class by himself at tackle, he really is, Gruden said, but when youre talking about tackle in the NFL, Ty belongs, and I think hell do fine.WALSH STICKS: The Vikings considered switching kickers this week, bringing in a half-dozen free agents for a tryout, but theyre sticking with the struggling Blair Walsh for now. Walsh missed his league-worst third extra point and had a field-goal try blocked last week, leaving him 12 for 15 on PATs and 12 for 16 on FGs this season.At some point in time, you have belief and confidence in guys, Zimmer said, because you know what theyve done in the past.`FAT ROB : Redskins rookie RB Robert Kelley, he of the Fat Rob nickname, is expected to again be the featured back, instead of Matt Jones, after running for 87 yards on 21 carries and catching a 1-yard TD pass in his first NFL start. Kelley was an undrafted free agent out of Tulane, where he never got even 100 carries in a season. Im happy with how far I came, Kelley said.LAPSES ON DEFENSE: One of the most troubling trends for the Vikings during their three-game slide has been some lapses by their dominant defense. Chicago and Detroit were a combined 14 of 28 on third downs, dropping the Vikings to 12th in the NFL in opponents third-down conversion rate at 38.3 percent, hurt by penalties and uncharacteristic missed tackles.RED-ZONE PROBLEMS; The Redskins have been able to drive up and down the field, but theyve been stymied when they get close to the end zone, ranking 30th in the NFL in red-zone efficiency. There are times where, in the rhythm of the play, guys arent going to always be open. You know, 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? QB Kirk Cousins said. So those would be the two things that come to mind personally for me that I can try to improve down in the red zone.---AP Pro Football Writer Dave Campbell in Eden Prairie, Minn., contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich Discount MLB Jerseys .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. https://www.mlbjerseyschina.us/ . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Clearance MLB Jerseys . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. MLB Jerseys Outlet . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. SAN FRANCISCO -- Just like two years ago as a wild card going to Pittsburgh, the San Francisco Giants will hit the road to begin what they believe can be another special, even-numbered-year postseason run.Even after the surprising second-half struggles and bullpen blunders that threatened their chances.The every-other-year Giants found their way back to the playoffs.San Francisco made it on the final day of the regular season, securing the second NL wild card with a 7-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep of their rival.We found a way to get back to where we need to be, ace left-hander Madison Bumgarner said. If we play like we have been the last three days, well be tough to beat.Denard Span hit a two-run triple among his three hits, and Buster Posey drove in three runs and had three hits as the club finished with its first four-game winning streak of the second half.San Francisco, which won World Series titles in 2010, 12 and 14, plays at the defending NL champion New York Mets on Wednesday night in the NL wild-card game, with the winner advancing to a Division Series against the Chicago Cubs. Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, will face Noah Syndergaard.Everybody realizes this is do-or-die. This is playoff time for us already, first baseman Brandon Belt said. We knew we needed to step our game up a little bit if we wanted to get in the postseason, and everybody did. ... I dont think it bothers anybody that we go on the road to win these games. Its actually a lot of fun. With Bumgarner on the mound, were going to have a good shot.Los Angeles, the NL West champion, plays Washington in the Division Series.Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully ended his 67-year career, calling his final game 80 years to the day after he fell in love with baseball while walking home from school.Midseason acquisition Matt Moore (6-5) allowed one run and three hits in eight innings as San Francisco (87-75) reached the playoffs for the fourth time in seven seasons. The Giants began the day one game ahead of St. Louis.The Dodgers got a scare when center fielder Joc Pederson came up slowly after diving and landing on his right shoulder trying for Brandon Crawfords RBI single in the eighth.San Franciscos fate came down to Game No. 162, just as it did in 2010. That year, Jonathan Sanchez pitched the Giants past San Diego for the division title. San Francisco went on to win the franchises first World Series since moving West in 1958.The Giants led the majors with a 57-33 record at the All-Star break. After an up-and-down secoond half and a series of bullpen meltdowns since the break, San Francisco delivered an impressive offensive performance against Kenta Maeda (16-11), who surrendered five runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings.ddddddddddddThis is what makes this as special as whats happened in the past, manager Bruce Bochy said. We had two different halves. If we wouldnt have gotten to the postseason, this would have been really hard to take, sitting in our position at the All-Star break.San Francisco has won 16 of its last 20 home meetings against the Dodgers.Third baseman Conor Gillaspie went over a railing and TV camera and into the photo well to snag Chase Utleys foul popup to begin the third.A superior catch, tumbling over the railing, declared 88-year-old Scully. Gillaspie refused to quit, eyes riveted on the ball ... alls well that ends well. The Giants are pumped.BAGS PACKEDThe Giants loaded their suitcases in the players parking lot early Sunday for the possibility of being gone a week.If they beat the Mets on Wednesday, they would head straight to Chicago to begin the best-of-five NL Division Series.Were hitting the road regardless, Bochy said. Its a case where youre definitely hitting the road, so get your packing done early. For a possible long trip, pretty much the message to everybody. How else would you think?SLUMPING DODGERSThe Dodgers lost five of six to end the season.I think weve covered everything this year with the 2016 Dodgers, manager Dave Roberts said beforehand. Just to see the way that our guys have kind of come together, its amazing to look back. ... To be in the position were in, its a good thing. Although weve lost three or four out of five, whatever it is, I still think the clubhouse, the mojo, the vide, energy, its still good.TRAINERS ROOMDodgers: Roberts confirmed Josh Reddick and Andre Ethier will be on the playoff roster, with Charlie Culberson still in the mix. The Dodgers hadnt determined how many pitchers they will carry.Giants: INF Eduardo Nunez missed his sixth straight game since straining his right hamstring last Sunday at San Diego. Hes unlikely to be available for the wild card round of the playoffs.UP NEXTDodgers: Los Angeles will work out on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium before flying to Washington on Wednesday ahead of Fridays NL Division Series Game 1 with the Nationals and having a session in the nations capital upon arrival.Giants: San Francisco will travel east on Monday morning. ' ' '