Redskins Post-Draft Season Predictions

The Redskins have just completed one of the better drafts, on paper, in the league over the weekend. The way it unfolded over the weekend, their patience in the earlier rounds allowed them to draft a mixture of best available player at positions of need. A few positions of needs were addressed, and now, barring any free agent signings a big percentage of the roster is known. We know these types of prediction games are just that, games, so take it for what it’s worth but here is a post-draft schedule prediction. Best case, and worst case.

Week 1 vs Philadelphia Eagles – 1-0. The Redskins open against a divisional rival that has lost 5 straight games against Washington. The Eagles have improved this offseason offensively which will keep them in more games, but week 1 the Eagles will lose their 6th straight game against their division rival.

Week 2 at LA Rams – 2-0. The Redskins will make their first of 3 west coast trips in week 2 against their former offensive coordinator Sean McVay, now the Rams head coach. The Rams are still in the process of re-tooling their offense, and 2 weeks into the season I don’t feel they will have hit their stride with 2nd year quarterback Jared Goff. Washington may struggle offensively with the Rams defense, and likely to be a low scoring game but Redskins will pull this one off, getting them off to a 2-0 start.  

Week 3 vs Oakland Raiders – 2-1. The Redskins will face a high-powered offense in the Raiders this week, and with a defense that severely underachieved last year I expect their defense to be much better than this past season. I expect another close game, but now I don’t see the Redskins having the front 7 and pass rush to have a better night against one of the better all-around offensive lines in the NFL.

Week 4 at Kansas City Chiefs – 2-2. The Redskins have another primetime game against another AFC West opponent this week. The Chiefs still have one of the better all-around teams in the NFL, as well as a balanced offensive attack. Not will the Redskins have issues on the field, but the Chiefs’ 12th man is elite. Crowd noise will play a factor for Washington as Kansas City has one of the better home records under Andy Reid in the league. Redskins fall to .500.

Week 5 is the Redskins bye week.

Week 6 vs San Francisco 49ers – 3-2. The Redskins come out the bye week against another former offensive coordinator for their team in Kyle Shanahan, now head coach of the 49ers. This is still a rebuilding year for the Niners, and the Redskins are right now the clearly better team between the two. I expect the Redskins to win comfortably against San Francisco.

Week 7 at Philadelphia Eagles – 3-3. The Redskins struggled in Philadelphia a year ago.  The Eagles are a team that plays opponents great at home and will finally get their first win in their last 7 attempts against Washington, dropping the Redskins to .500 and 1-3 in their last four.

Week 8 vs Dallas Cowboys – 4-3. The Redskins have been itching to get back at Dallas since being swept the previous year. Dallas has taken a lot of losses in the offseason, and this year for them will not be as surprisingly great as it was a year ago. The Redskins will get their revenge against the Cowboys at home pushing them back over .500.

Week 9 at Seattle Seahawks – 5-3. Making their 2nd of 3 west coast trips of the season, the Redskins take on the Seattle Seahawks, a team they have quite the history with in recent years. This will be another game in which the Redskins struggle offensively, however, their defense will be the reason why they are in this game and have a chance to win late. A chance in which I think capitalize on, Redskins win in an upset.

Week 10 vs Minnesota Vikings – 6-3. The Redskins win their 3rd straight game, this week against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings will still have inconsistencies on the offensive side of the ball, albeit a better rushing attack, but that won’t be enough against the Redskins.

Week 11 at New Orleans Saints – 7-3. The Redskins get on a hot streak in the middle of the season, earning their 4th straight victory, this week against the New Orleans Saints. This will likely be the highest scoring game of the season. Both teams will score in the high 20s – maybe low 30s – but this will be a game in which the Redskins will get the ball last and have a walk-off score earning the victory.

Week 12 vs New York Giants – 7-4. The Redskins have an opportunity to exact revenge against the team that knocked them out the playoffs in week 17 of the previous season. In their first ever Thanksgiving Day home game, the Redskins fail to defend their home turf, as the Giants come into Fed Ex Field and steal a victory against the Redskins.

Week 13 at Dallas Cowboys – 7-5. The Redskins drop 2 straight in the division after falling to the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football.

Week 14 at LA Chargers – 8-5. The Redskins end their losing streak on their 2nd game of their first back to back road game of the year, and the final west coast road trip of the season. In a hard-fought game against the Chargers, the Redskins win another close game earning their 8th win of the season.

Week 15 vs Arizona Cardinals – 9-5. The Redskins earn their 9th win of the season and get their 2nd of 4 revenge opportunities of the season by beating the Cardinals, who beat them on their home turf the previous year.

Week 16 vs Denver Broncos – 9-6. The Redskins drop their 6th game of the season against a young Denver team. The Denver defense will be a issue for the Redskins this week and the Broncos will earn their upset victory against the Redskins in week 16.

Week 17 vs New York Giants – 10-6. The Redskins earn their 3rd of 4 revenge opportunities in the final week of the season with a victory against the New York Giants. The NFC East champion will come out of this game, and the Redskins will earn a victory against a team who will struggle to protect Eli and run the football. Another low scoring game like the previous year, the Redskins earn their 2nd division title in 3 years.

Best case scenario for Washington: 10-6 and division title.

Worst case scenario for Washington: 7-9. Every season there are a few upsets that are unforeseen, as you have seen, and I’ve made in the 10-6 scenario. Some just doesn’t work out as planned, and Redskins will not pull them off.

 

You can also find me on Twitter: @_ayymall