LANDOVER, Md. -- As if things were not already bad enough for the Minnesota Vikings, what with a four-game losing streak and a depleted offensive line, there sat Jake Long in front of a locker, head bowed, a pair of crutches by his side.Backup Jeremiah Sirles, seated to Longs left, reached out and put a hand on his teammates shoulder, trying to comfort him.Long -- signed last month after the Vikings put two tackles on injured reserve -- was carted off the field after hurting his Achilles tendon on Minnesotas final drive of a 26-20 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday, dropping a team that started 5-0 to 5-4 and making its present and future even bleaker.Well get back to the drawing board tomorrow, Sirles said about what will happen to the offensive line now that Long is expected to miss the rest of the season, and see what the plan is going forward.Of immediate concern, in addition to how to replace Long after already having to account for injuries to left tackle Matt Kalil and right tackle Andre Smith, is next weeks game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals.Got a lot of things weve got to clean up, a lot of things weve got to get better at, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. Everybodys frustrated right now. So Id be disappointed if they werent frustrated.The Redskins (5-3-1), meanwhile, get to enjoy this back-and-forth victory -- Washington led 14-0 a minute into the second quarter, trailed 20-14 at halftime, then scored the final 12 points -- before facing yet another team whose season is spiraling out of control: They host the Green Bay Packers (4-5 after losing four of their past five games) next Sunday night.Here is what else to know about Washington and Minnesota:FAT ROBUndrafted rookie Robert Kelley is not letting go of the Redskins starting running back job. He climbed the depth chart in part because former starter Matt Jones had trouble holding onto the football, and Kelley -- nickname: Fat Rob -- heads into next week as the unquestioned No. 1 back. Kelley had 97 yards on 22 carries against Minnesota and hasnt fumbled in the NFL, while third-down back Chris Thompson put the ball on the ground Sunday. Kelley watched the film of his first start, Oct. 30 against Cincinnati, saw cuts he missed and improved. I tried to make sure I didnt make the same mistakes this game, Kelley said. It worked out.SHORT YARDAGEThe Vikings cant believe how much trouble they have in short-yardage situations and will prepare for Arizona knowing they failed to convert twice on third-and-1 against Washington. Weve just got to do better. We went with big people. We went with small people. Didnt get either one. Thats where our toughness needs to take over, tight end Kyle Rudolph said. We cant seem to get that 1 yard.RAZORS EDGESeven of the Redskins nine games this season were decided by one score; theyre 4-2-1 in those. Players said its a sign of resiliency; they wouldnt mind a blowout moving forward, though. If were really going to be a good team, defensive end Chris Baker said, weve got to stick our foot on (an opponents) throat from the beginning of the game until after the game.NO BALANCEIf Minnesota is going to turn its season back around, one key could be figuring out how to run the ball more -- and run it better. Not having Peterson is a big deal, of course, but check out these numbers against the Redskins: 21 carries for 47 yards, a 2.2 average. Sam Bradford threw the ball nearly twice as many times (40) as he handed it off. Its been tough the past couple weeks, but were going to stay committed to it. I know that we believe in the run game, Bradford said. I still believe were best when were balanced.RED-ZONE STUMBLESThe Redskins offense settled for three field goals in four trips to the red zone against Minnesota -- part of Washingtons season-long struggles when it gets close to the end zone. Plus, Kirk Cousins almost got intercepted at the goal line, but linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr collided and the ball fell between them.---AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno 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 Green Youth Air VaporMax . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Black Air VaporMax Shoes . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.cheapairvapormaxoutlet.com/ . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Grey Air VaporMax On Sale . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. Supply Air VaporMax Shop . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead.Newcastle United are edging closer to confirming that Rafa Benitez will stay on as manager next season, Sky sources understand. Benitez signed a three-year deal to become Newcastle boss back in March, when he replaced Steve McClaren, but the contract is reported to include an option to cancel at the end of the season.The Spaniard was unable to keep the club in the Premier League, leading to doubts over whether he would stay, but it appears a meeting with owner Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley on Sunday was positive. They talked for two hours after the stunning 5-1 win over Tottenham at St James Park, giving Ashley a first chance to speak to Benitez face-to-face since his arrival at the club.After the game Benitez said his heart was leading him towards staying on Tyneside to try and guide Newcastle back to the Premier League, and he admitted that fantastic support from the clubs fans was also swaying him. Jamie Carragher believes Rafael Benitez has a difficult decision to make Sources understand Ashley was impressed by Benitez during their meeting, with the Spaniard keen to find out what ambitions the owner has for their bid to get out of the Championship at the first attempt.Benitez is reported to be particularly keen to take control over the clubs transfer business before committing his future to the club. Benitez had this to say about his future after the win over Tottenham After beating Spurs, he said: I said I am quite open and I am quite pleased with everything, the staff, everything, now its just to be sure that we have to do what we have to do to be sure that we can go up if I stay here.ddddddddddddThey know, we have been talking. I have the same feeling as the fans, they want a strong team next season to be sure we go up again.The way and the ideas will not be difficult to have, to have similar ideas, but we have to sit down and make sure of everything. Benitez says the Newcastle fans are playing a big part in influencing his decision Also See: Rafas heart telling him to stay Carra on Rafas big choice Krul up for Newcastle fight Benitez and Ashley meet China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Online Stitched Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Football Jerseys Outlet College Jerseys For Sale Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys For Sale Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '