Redskins Game-by-Game 2013 Record Prediction

By Staff Writer John Manuel:

Here we go now that the schedule is out, here’s my way, way too early season predictor.  Last season I had 8-8 and most thought it was too many wins including my pick over the eventual champs Baltimore.  I will be doing this assuming that Robert Griffin III is ready to go week one versus the Eagles which is obviously very questionable.  And you never know how teams will play out, ask the Dream Team 2011.

Week 1: Monday, Sept. 9, Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Win-  This game will get a lot of hype due to it being the coaching debut of Chip Kelly is Philadelphia.  I expect the Eagles to be better but they still have a lot of questions at quarterback and who will actually be under center that night, Vick, Foles, Dixon? Manuel? Not me, E.J. Manuel. Record:  1-0

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15, at Green Bay, 1 p.m.

Loss- This was a tough one.  First thought is Lambeau is going to be a tough place to play and it being the Packers opener.  Add to that Aaron Rodgers could torch the Redskins questionable secondary with ease.  But I like our chances much like the Saints game last year.  If Orakpo and Kerrigan can get to Rodgers and make it tough like they did Brees we could be in for a great game.  If Green Bay was to lose they could be looking at 0-2 after going to San Fran in week one.  This is a game I could change in the future. Record:  1-1

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22, Detroit, 1 p.m.

Win- I am guessing Calvin Johnson will work us for 60 minutes but not so fast.  Maybe the Skins are able to hold him in check like Dez Bryant in week 17?  Either way I can’t see the Lions stopping the Washington offense enough at FedEx to knock off the Redskins. Record: 2-1

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29, at Oakland, 4:25 p.m.

Win- Good news is that Washington will have decent tape by then to prepare for Matt Flynn or Terrelle Pryor we hope.  This will be a good test for Shanahan and his team to see if they are true contenders, a road game versus a bad team.  Needs to be a pounding like last season in Cleveland was.   Record:  3-1

Week 5: BYE

3-1 at the bye would be pretty good not only in the NFC East, but in the NFC conference.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13, at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Win- I got a win here although my first thought was loss.  But then I thought who still coached Dallas (Jason Garrett), who wishes he coached Dallas (Jerry Jones) and who is under center (Tony Romo.)  Dallas was bad at home in primetime last year and I feel the Redskins can go in again and win at JerryWorld.  I don’t think it is a great situation in Dallas, much like the Philadelphia/ Andy Reid situation of the past two seasons.  Record:  4-1

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, Chicago, 1 p.m.

Win- Hopefully DeAngelo Hall is still on the roster for this one as he gets another chance at Jay Cutler.  This game worries me but at 4-1 and coming back to FedEx I think the place will be rockin’.  Redskins continue their run of seeing monster receivers with Brandon Marshall in town which is also a concern but I think they take this. Record:  5-1

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 27, at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

Loss- 5-1 may be a reach so I am feeling the team is due for a letdown and Denver gets the honor at Mile High.  Once again having a healthy Orakpo to go along with Kerrigan will be huge going against Peyton Manning.  I just think Denver is going to be real good and won’t lose this one at home.  Record:  5-2

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 3, San Diego, 1 p.m.

Win- Another one where Washington needs to just pound the Chargers.  Too bad Norv won’t be coming to town but Phillip Rivers will be.  He struggled at Byrd Stadium and I think he struggles at FedEx as the Skins handle San Diego. Record:  6-2

Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 7, at Minnesota, 8:25 p.m.

Win- Nervous about this one.  Last year it took Madeiu Williams one season highlight and RG3’s long TD run to overtake the Vikings who dominated early on.  But I can see the Vikings having major issues at quarterback with Ponder and Cassell so the Redskins must take advantage of this. Record:  7-2

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Win- Once again one that no one knows where to go with Chip Kellys’ Eagles team.  The fast offense is such an unknown and they have the speed to run it.  But will they have the quarterback?  Or will they at this point counting down to either Manziel or Mariota? Record: 8-2

Week 12: Monday, Nov. 25, San Francisco, 8:30 p.m.

Loss- I sat in front of my computer for 10 minutes before I started typing to decide which way to go on this one.  I just think that San Francisco and Seattle are going to be too good.  Especially at this point where Colin Kaepernick has a full season of games played.  I think the Skins give a great effort in a potential game of the year candidate but the 49ers are just better. Record:  8-3

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1, NY Giants, 8:30 p.m.

Win- Back to back night games at FedEx.  John Mara please make you way to FedEx to see your boys get thrashed.  Mara is going to wish he took away draft picks from the Redskins after Griffin works his team again and this time handily. Record:  9-3

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8, Kansas City, 1 p.m.

Win-  Kansas City is a tough team to call.  Horrible last season but they had half the AFC Pro Bowl team?  We will get to see how good Andy Reid and Alex Smith are by Week 14.  If this was at Kansas City I may have picked the Chiefs but is not so 10-3 it is. Record:  10-3

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Loss- It’s a regular season game and not the playoffs so I am going with Matt Ryan and the Falcons at home.  If they are to meet in the playoffs, I got Griffin and the Skins big time.  At this point the Skins are looking in good shape but wow does the NFC looked stacked when you think about it.  Record:  10-4

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 22, Dallas, 1 p.m.

Win- Going to think at this point Jason Garrett may be gone, who knows about Monte Kiffin and Jerrah is trying to talk Gruden or Cowher or anyone to work with him.  Feels like the Redskins of a few years back?  Kiffin was horrible at USC so I can’t see him making much difference in Dallas.  I think this is a good time to get Dallas much like Philly last season late.  Record:  11-4

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 29, at NY Giants, 1 p.m.

Loss- I think we are sitting with the division in hand at this point and the Giants are in a battle to make it in.  We go up to New York and play to win but the Giants need it more and Eli wins the game for the Giants.  But at 9-7 the Giants are still out!   Record:  11-5

So I got 11-5 which should win the NFC East but will be tough to get a first round bye with teams like San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Green Bay, New Orleans, and who knows a shocking out of nowhere contender like the Skins and Seahawks a year ago.  Hopefully the Skins get the non-Niners/ Seahawks wildcard team in the first round and we go from there.