Washington Redskins Preview and Prediction

Team Preview

After winning a combined seven games across the 2013-14 and 2014-15 NFL seasons, the Washington Redskins turned the fate of their franchise over to former Michigan State standout quarterback Kirk Cousins. In the past two years as the team's starter, Cousins has led the team to winning records (2015-16: 9-7, lost in wild card round of playoffs; 2016-17: 8-7-1, missed playoffs).

With the Redskins basically renting Cousins on one-year deals, the team has the option to ditch the QB if the team underperforms due to lackluster QB play. Will this year be the one that finally forces the Redskins to sign Cousins long-term; or will the team again franchise tag Cousins; or does the team fail to make the playoffs again and the Redskins choose to let Cousins walk as a free agent?

Last year, Cousins enjoyed his best season as a pro, tossing for 4,917 yards and 25 touchdowns; he also was intercepted a career-high 12 times while completing 67 percent of his passes (down from 69.8 percent two years ago). Washington put up the third-most yards per game but ranked just 12th in points per game; the team ranked second-best in passing yards per game and ranked 21st in rush yards per contest. You can't argue that Cousins cost the team a playoff spot. Could his numbers have been better? Sure, but a subpar defense and lack of a running game were more the reasons for the team's inability to reach the playoffs.

To spark the running game, the Redskins drafted Samaje Perine in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Rob Kelley is expected to be the team's top running back again this season after posting 704 yards and six touchdowns a year ago. 2015 third-rounder Matt Jones and 2013 fifth-rounder Chris Thompson are also in the mix for carries, although one of the two may be cut by the end of the preseason. Don't expect any of these backs to reach 1,000 yards or have monster seasons. It's more likely Perine and Kelley split the carries to remain fresh, while one of Thompson or Jones gets some touches on third down. The group is going to need to improve its production if the Redskins want to improve record-wise.

In the passing game, last season's leaders, Pierre Garcon (79 receptions, 1,041 yards) and DeSean Jackson (56 receptions, 1,005 yards), are gone. Former Cleveland Brown Terrelle Pryor now enters the fold, joining Jamison Crowder (67 receptions, 847 yards) and 2016 first round pick Josh Docton (just two catches for 66 yards) as the team's top targets in the passing game. Replacing the production of Jackson and Garcon may be tough, but the Redskins hope Crowder and Pryor and put up similar numbers while Doctson makes a big second-year jump.

The health of tight end Jordan Reed, who is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list right now, may be the deciding factor in how good the Redskins' passing game can be. Reed is an elite tight end and one the best playmakers in the NFL, but injuries have stunted his production (Reed has never played more than 14 games in a season). Reed could easily be a 1,000-yard receiver if he plays all 16 games.

The Redskins made a couple of moves to try and sure up their defense. The free agent signing of former Oakland Raider Stacy McGee was an intriguing one, but if he can stay healthy, the move could be a key one in improving the run defense. The team also signed former Arizona Cardinal D.J. Swearinger, who should both help out the secondary and in stopping the run. The Redskins also drafted defensive lineman Jonathan Allen in the first round and linebacker Ryan Anderson in the second round. Third-rounder Fabian Moreau (CB) and fourth-rounder Montae Nicholson (S) should also hold big roles as rookies and could provide much needed help if any veterans struggle.

Outside McGee and Allen, the defensive line lacks playmakers. That's all the more reason the team will need its outside linebackers to step up and play big roles. Unfortunately, Trent Murphy (nine sacks) tore his ACL in a preseason game. That means veteran LB Ryan Kerrigan (11 sacks) will have to put up similar sack numbers while Preston Smith and Anderson try and replace Murphy. Leading tackler Mason Foster (124 total tackles) and Will Compton (106 total tackles) will anchor the middle of the defense while former Buffalo Bill Zach Brown also sees plenty of time on the gridiron.

Cornerbacks Josh Norman and Bashuad Breeland look to shut down opposing team's top wideouts while Quinton Dunbar and 2016 third-rounder Kendall Fuller serve as depth. 2016 second-rounder Su'a Cravens will team up with Swearinger at safety, helping form one of the better secondaries in the NFL. Will that secondary make up for an injured LB unit and lacking d-line?

2017-18 Schedule/Predictions 1 - vs Philadelphia Eagles (L) 2 - at Los Angeles Rams (W) 3 - vs Oakland Raiders (L) 4 - at Kansas City Chiefs (L) 5 - BYE 6 - vs San Francisco 49ers (W) 7 - at Philadelphia Eagles (L) 8 - vs Dallas Cowboys (W) 9 - at Seattle Seahawks (L) 10 - vs Minnesota Vikings (W) 11 - at New Orleans Saints (W) 12 - vs New York Giants (W) 13 - at Dallas Cowboys (L)

14 - at Los Angeles Chargers (W) 15 - vs Arizona Cardinals (L) 16 - vs Denver Broncos (L) 17 - at New York Giants (L) Season Record: 7-9, 2-4 NFC East

The Redskins need their running game to improve this season and I think Perine will help the unit do just that. Washington has already had to deal with injuries and it might cost the team a chance at the playoffs. The Redskins should still be in the hunt down the stretch of the season, but the final three games of the season may be what ultimately ends the Redskins season.

Next NFC Team Up - Carolina Panthers

Sources not listed in article: ESPN - stats; Ourlads - depth chart; Playoff Predictors - schedule/record projections.

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