The Vikings were well in last week’s game with Washington, but their good work unraveled thanks in part to their own mistakes in the red zone.
On three trips inside the Redskins’ 20 in the first quarter, they managed just three field goals, but the wound was self-inflicted.
Wide receiver Percy Harvin was on the first for just four of those nine snaps, something offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave admitted was a mistake.
Asked if Harvin was injured at that point, Musgrave said no.
“That was just the way the personnel groups went,” Musgrave said, via the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “That was part of our plan, which we’re not proud of.”
Harvin didn’t touch the ball on any of the plays in which he did participate. Of the team’s seven total trips to the red zone, they got a pair of touchdowns.
"[Washington] did a good job [defending Harvin],” Musgrave said. “We matched him up on a linebacker one time, and we just didn’t have the protection to throw it to him there on the first drive. We’re hoping to use him down there both run game and play-action when he’s in the backfield. We just want to make those plays work better the next time or call them at the right time. . . .
“We didn’t get enough bang out of our buck, for all the work that it takes to get down into the red area seven times and not come away with sevens.”
Having your most dynamic player involved might help that process.