Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith fined for horse collar tackle

The safety's illegal takedown of Robert Griffin III will cost him just over $15,000.

NFL power rankings, Week 7: Vikings dropping following loss to Redskins

The Minnesota Vikings lost in Week 6, and are now falling down the weekly power rankings.

Vikings vs. Redskins 2012: Minnesota just got beat

The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Washington Redskins 38-26 on Sunday in a game where they simply got beat.

NFL injury report: Jerome Simpson misses game with back injury

Minnesota Vikings Jerome Simpson sat out during the Vikings 38-26 loss over the Redskins with a back injury; Percy Harvin got banged up but expects to be good to go moving forward.

Vikings vs. Redskins final score: Robert Griffin III keys Washington win, 38-26

The Washington Redskins held off a late rally by the Minnesota Vikings to win 38-26 on Sunday. The Vikings got back into the game with two Christian Ponder touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, but a 76-yard touchdown run by Robert Griffin III with 2:43 remaining put the game away for the Redskins.

The two teams were having a field goal contest in the first half before the Redskins scored two touchdowns in 13 seconds with less than three minutes left in the half. Alfred Morris ran in the first, and Griffin threw a touchdown pass to Darrel Young one play after a Christian Ponder fumble.

Washington kept the momentum going through halftime, and appeared to have the game put away when Madieu Williams took back a Ponder interception 24 yards for a touchdown to make it 31-12. However, the Vikings didn't quit, and Ponder threw two touchdown passes down the stretch in the fourth quarter to make it a one possession game. It wasn't meant to be, though, as Griffin put the game away with this long touchdown run to make it 38-26:

The Vikings took the ball down to the doorstep of the Redskins' end zone, but Ponder was intercepted by DeAngelo Hall with 22 seconds left to ice the game.

Fantasy Stud: RGIII was pretty darn good in this game. He went 17-22 for 182 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

But did they cover? Minnesota was favored by two, so they did not cover the spread.

Injury Info: Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson took some knocks in this game, but were able to keep playing. Griffin didn't appear to be suffering any ill effects from his concussion last week.

What's next? Next week, the Redskins travel to New York to take on the Giants, and the Vikings play host to the Cardinals.

This story originally appeared on SBNation.com.

Vikings At Redskins: Robert Griffin III Goes Crazy For Washington

Well, there's a reason that Robert Griffin III was considered one of the most special quarterback prospects to come out of the college ranks in a long time, and he just showed exactly why that is.

The Minnesota Vikings got to within 31-26 after Christian Ponder's second touchdown pass of the day, and after a Jared Allen sack and a short run by Alfred Morris, appeared to have the Washington Redskins right where they wanted them.

Not the case.

On third down, Robert Griffin III took the snap, and started out up the middle of the field. He peeled off to the left, and went completely untouched into the end zone from 76 yards out for a touchdown to make it 38-26 with 2:43 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The play is easily the longest one that the Vikings have allowed this season, and should pretty much put the proverbial kibosh on any hopes for a comeback the Minnesota Vikings may have been harboring.

With 2:43 left in the ball game from FedEx Field, the Washington Redskins lead the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 38-26.

Vikings At Redskins: Minnesota Gets To Within Five

For everyone that thought that the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins was over. . .and, yes, that includes myself. . .apparently the Vikings have other ideas.

The Vikings started out on their own 33-yard line after an absolutely teeth-rattling hit from Washington's Niles Paul on Minnesota's Marcus Sherels on a punt, but the Vikings kept their composure and moved the ball down the field. Adrian Peterson took a swing pass out in the left flat and took the ball to the Washington 28-yard line, and on the next play Christian Ponder looked deep for Devin Aromashodu. The pass fell incomplete, but the officials threw a flag for pass interference, giving the Vikings the ball on the Redskins' 1-yard line.

Ponder threw his second touchdown pass of the day from there, finding Kyle Rudolph in the back of the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown pass. The Vikings went for a two-point conversion to try to get themselves to within three, but Ponder's pass for Rudolph fell incomplete.

So, with 3:36 left in the game, the Minnesota Vikings now trail the Washington Redskins by a score of 31-26. The Vikings have all three of their time outs remaining, but they need a stop here in order to have a chance at what would be a most improbable victory.

Vikings At Redskins: Minnesota Fights Back With Touchdown Pass

Well, the Minnesota Vikings haven't rolled over and played dead yet, but they still have quite a ways to go if they want to pull off a colossal comeback against the Washington Redskins.

The Vikings started out at their own 20-yard line, and moved the ball down the field behind Christian Ponder. Big passes to Rhett Ellison and Percy Harvin moved the ball into Washington territory at the 44, and a pass to Kyle Rudolph a few plays later moved the Vikings into the Washington red zone at the 14-yard line. Two plays later, the Vikings finally got their first touchdown of the afternoon, as Ponder found Michael Jenkins from nine yards out for the score.

Minnesota elected to go for a two-point conversion after the touchdown, and Ponder found Kyle Rudolph for a successful conversion to make the score 31-20.

Just a shade over eight minutes remaining at FedEx Field, and the Minnesota Vikings are attempting a comeback. We'll see if it turns out to be too little, too late. The Vikings currently trail the Redskins by a score of 31-20.

Vikings At Redskins: Ponder Throws A Pick-Six

The Vikings' aspirations of going to 5-1 and taking sole possession of first place in the NFC North have been met with a pretty significant thud. The Washington Redskins have just forced an interception from Christian Ponder that went back for a touchdown from the most unlikely of sources. . .former Vikings safety Madieu Williams.

After Redskins' punter Sav Rocca pinned the Vikings down at the 3-yard line with a punt, the drive got off to a promising start with a pass to Kyle Rudolph to give the team some breathing room. However, the Vikings soon found themselves faced with a third down, and Ponder badly overthrew Michael Jenkins, and Williams was there to be the recipient of the bad throw. Williams proceeded to weave his way through the Washington defense and into the end zone for a 24-yard return, and the Redskins' lead ballooned to 31-12 after Kai Forbath's extra point.

Stranger things have happened in the National Football League before, but the odds of the Vikings completing a comeback in this one lie somewhere between slim and none. . .and, to borrow a phrase, I think I just saw Slim ask for his check.

With 12:40 left in the game from FedEx Field, the Minnesota Vikings trail the Washington Redskins by a score of 31-12.

Vikings At Redskins: Minnesota Settles For Another Field Goal

The Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins have each made four trips into the red zone in this afternoon's contest. The Vikings have been forced to settle for four field goals, and that's a big part of the reason that they currently trail the Redskins by a score of 24-12 in the later part of the third quarter of play.

Percy Harvin got the Vikings started with a nice kick return out to about the Minnesota 40-yard line, and the Vikings made a few nice plays in order to get into Washington territory. One of the bigger plays on the drive was Christian Ponder avoiding a sack and hitting Devin Aromashodu for 13 yards to put the ball at the Washington 26-yard line. A pass interference penalty moved the ball a bit closer, but the Vikings offense bogged down once again, and after Ponder overshot Percy Harvin in the end zone on third down, Blair Walsh was brought in once again.

Again, Walsh did what is starting to become expected of him, drilling his attempt right down the middle from 37 yards out, and the Vikings cut Washington's lead to 24-12.

Walsh has just registered another touchback, and the Redskins will start again from their own 20-yard line with 4:17 remaining in the third quarter and a 24-12 lead.

Vikings At Redskins: Washington Makes It 24 Straight Points

The Minnesota Vikings are starting to fall apart in a major way at FedEx Field, as the Washington Redskins have scored the last 24 points after being down 9-0.

The Redskins got the ball to start the second half of play, and they started from their own 20-yard line after another Blair Walsh touchback. The Redskins made it look fairly easy, as they mixed the run and the pass to move down the field. Robert Griffin III looked outstanding on the drive, including converting a 3rd-and-11 with a 15-yard scramble down to the Minnesota 23-yard line.

A penalty on Harrison Smith for a horse collar tackle on the subsequent first down gave Washington first-and-goal at the Minnesota 7-yard line, and RGIII handled it from there, running it in himself from seven yards out for Washington's third touchdown of the afternoon. Kai Forbath added the extra point, and the Redskins extended their lead over the Vikings to 24-9.

If the Vikings have it within them to respond to adversity, this would be a pretty good time to do it. . .this is adverse a situation as the Minnesota Vikings have faced this season.

With 9:37 left in the third quarter of play, the Minnesota Vikings trail the Washington Redskins by a score of 24-9 at FedEx Field.

Vikings At Redskins: Washington Adds Another Touchdown

No, that's not a typo. The Washington Redskins have scored their second touchdown in less than fifteen seconds of game time, and have increased their lead over the Minnesota Vikings to 17-9.

On the first play of Minnesota's drive after the Alfred Morris touchdown, Christian Ponder dropped back to pass, and Adrian Peterson was pushed into Ponder by Washington's Perry Riley. The ball squirted out of Ponder's hand, and into the arms of Lorenzo Alexander. Alexander was brought down at the 6-yard line, and the Redskins were in business.

It didn't take the Redskins long from there, as Robert Griffin III found running back Dorrell Young on the first play from scrimmage for a 6-yard touchdown catch to extend the Redskins' lead to 17-9.

We're at the two-minute warning at FedEx Field, and the Minnesota Vikings need to attempt to answer the Redskins' momentum before the half. As it stands now, Minnesota trails Washington by a score of 17-9.

Vikings At Redskins: Washington Takes The Lead

After a first half that has been largely dominated on the score sheet by the Minnesota Vikings, the Washington Redskins have scored ten unanswered points to take the lead at FedEx Field.

After a Vikings punt pinned the Redskins at their own 9-yard line, Washington began to march the ball down the field. After a pass to Leonard Hankerson and a 15-yard run by Alfred Morris, the Redskins found themselves at midfield. After that, Robert Griffin III hit Santana Moss for a 30-yard pass to get the ball to the Minnesota 20-yard line. The 30-yard completion is the longest play allowed by the Vikings this season.

A questionable roughing the passer call on Erin Henderson gave the Redskins a first-and-goal situation, and two plays later the Redskins had third-and-goal at the 1-yard line. From there, Morris took the handoff and took it into the end zone for a score. Kai Forbath hit the extra point, and the Redskins took a 10-9 lead.

This represents the first time that the Vikings have trailed since Week 2. In their entire three-game winning streak, the Vikings have not trailed at all.

With 2:27 left until halftime at FedEx Field, the Washington Redskins lead the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 10-9.

Vikings At Redskins: Washington Gets On The Board

The Washington Redskins have gotten on the scoreboard against the Minnesota Vikings and, in keeping with the theme of the day, it comes as the result of a field goal.

After Blair Walsh kicked his 20th touchback of the year. . .more than the Vikings had in all of 2011, if you're scoring at home. . .the Redskins started at their own 20-yard line. The Redskins matriculated the ball down the field, including having to convert a fourth down to Santana Moss to move the ball inside of the Minnesota 30-yard line. However, the Washington drive bogged down at that spot, and Washington was forced to attempt a field goal.

The Redskins brought in Kai Forbath, recently signed to replace the ineffective Billy Cundiff, and his first attempt as a Redskins came from 50 yards out. Forbath calmly drilled the field goal, and drew the Redskins closer to the Vikings at 9-3.

It's a field goal battle at FedEx Field in Washington, D.C., and the Vikings are currently getting the best of it as they lead 9-3.

Vikings At Redskins: It's The Blair Walsh Show

Stop me if you've heard this one. . .the Minnesota Vikings offense moved the ball fairly well against the Washington Redskins, but the offense slowed down in the red zone and they had to settle for another field goal.

After Antoine Winfield's interception of Robert Griffin III, the Vikings started out in Redskins territory at the 35-yard line. Christian Ponder found Michael Jenkins for a big third down completion down to the 16-yard line to keep the drive going. Again, however, the Vikings couldn't get the ball much closer, and once again called on the rookie kicker from Georgia, Blair Walsh.

Walsh hit yet another field goal attempt, this one yet another 27-yarder, and the Vikings extended their lead to 9-0. On two possessions thus far, the Redskins have zero yards and a turnover, as the Minnesota defense is playing inspired football.

With time winding down in the first quarter of play, the Minnesota Vikings lead the Washington Redskins by a score of 9-0.

Vikings At Redskins: Walsh Tacks On Another One

The Minnesota Vikings' offense looks good early, but continues to bog down in the red zone, as they've had to settle for a second straight Blair Walsh field goal.

After the Redskins' first drive netted them zero yards on a three-and-out, they punted it away to Minnesota, and the Vikings started at their own 47-yard line. The big play on the drive was a 23-yard connection from Christian Ponder to Percy Harvin that moved the Vikings down to the Washington 14-yard line. However, the Vikings couldn't get much further from there, and called on Walsh to attempt another field goal, which he hit from 27 yards out.

Peterson already has five carries for 47 yards in this game, which is taking place at the scene of his ACL inury 294 days ago. Harvin has two catches for 38 yards in the early going.

The Vikings appear to have just turned over the Redskins, with Antoine Winfield intercepting a pass from Robert Griffin III in Redskins territory.

We have about five minutes remaining in the first quarter at FedEx Field, and the Minnesota Vikings lead the Washington Redskins by a score of 6-0.

Vikings At Redskins: Minnesota Gets Field Goal On Opening Drive

The Minnesota Vikings put together a very nice drive to start things out against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, but wound up settling for three points.

Minnesota started from their own 20-yard line, and Christian Ponder got things going with a third-down pass to Kyle Rudolph for 18 yards to get the Vikings near midfield. A pass to Percy Harvin picked up 15 more and put the Vikings into Redskins territory. Then Adrian Peterson got into the act as well, taking a handoff and going for 32 yards down to the Washington 10-yard line.

A run from Peterson and a completion to Toby Gerhart had the Vikings facing 4th-and-goal from the Washington 2-yard line, and Leslie Frazier elected to play it safe and turn to rookie Blair Walsh. Walsh hit the field goal attempt from 20 yards out, and the Vikings took an early 3-0 lead.

The Minnesota scoring drive moved 78 yards in nine plays, taking 3:29 off of the clock.

We're early in the first quarter at FedEx Field, and the Minnesota Vikings lead the Washington Redskins by a score of 3-0.

Vikings vs. Redskins inactives: Jerome Simpson out for Minnesota

After leaving last week's game with a concussion, Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III is active for the Redskins, but he will be without one of his top targets as wide receiver Pierre Garcon is inactive.

Garcon has been working his way back from a foot injury suffered in the season opener, but endured a setback during Friday's practice and will now miss his third game of the season. After missing the second and third games of the season, Garcon played the last two weeks, despite being limited. Leonard Hankerson is expected to start in place of Garcon.

The Vikings will also be without a wide receiver, as Jerome Simpson is inactive with a back injury. An MRI early in the week revealed the injury, but he returned to practice later in the week. Simpson was limited on both Thursday and Friday with Minnesota waiting to see how his back felt on Sunday.

In addition to Garcon, the Redskins will also be without cornerback Cedric Griffin and safety Brandon Meriweather. Griffin will miss his second straight game while Meriweather is yet to play this season with a knee injury. Complete inactives for both teams can be found below.

Minnesota

McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB
Brandon Burton, DB
Marvin Mitchell, OLB
Mistral Raymond, SS
Jerome Simpson, WR
Jarius Wright, WR
Mark Asper, OL

Washington

Pierre Garcon, WR
Adam Gettis, G
Cedric Griffin, DB
Rex Grossman, QB
Josh LeRibeus, G
Brandon Meriweather, DB
Doug Worthington, DT

Vikings WR Jerome Simpson listed as questionable for Week 6 on Friday's injury report

Minnesota Vikings released their injury report on Friday, and wide receiver Jerome Simpson (lower back/foot) is listed as questionable for the team's Week 6 match up against the Washington Redskins.

Everson Griffen out indefinitely after mother's death

The Vikings received a somber reminder that football is only a small part of life on Wednesday.

Defensive end Everson Griffen was called up to the coach's office during a meeting on Wednesday afternoon when Eden Prairie police told him of the tragic news: his mother had passed away.

Griffen's mother was in town visiting her son, according to Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier. The death was very unexpected, as Frazier told 1500 ESPN:

As you can imagine, it was tough. There was nothing that could have prepared him for that news. He wasn't here (Thursday). I'm not sure what his status will be going forward. Our prayers as an organization, as well as his teammates, are with him and his family. This is a difficult time for him, as you can imagine, and we'll be there to support him as best we can...

He loved his mom, like we all do. And to have no clue that something like this was on the horizon it was tough. It's still tough, obviously.

Griffen has already been visited by several Vikings players and coaches offering their condolences on his sudden, tragic loss. As for when Griffen rejoins the team, Frazier said that it's totally up to the player to decide when he's ready:

It's purely up to him when, there's no timetable, I explained that to him (Wednesday)...He needs to go through the grieving process properly and don't be thinking about football. Just doing whatever he needs to do away from football. His mom was very, very close to him. This is going to be a tough deal for him.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Everson Griffen on what's surely a very hard time in his life.

Adrian Peterson injury: Vikings RB plans to play through ankle sprain

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Vikings reaction: Robert Griffin III a tough test for surprising Minnesota

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Vikings vs. Redskins: Experts take Minnesota to win

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Adrian Peterson injury: Vikings RB sits out Wednesday practice

Adrian Peterson sat out Wednesday's practice but is still expected to play this Sunday at Washington.