Breaking Down the Rest of the Redskins Schedule

A lot can change throughout the course of the season that can change the outlook of particular games on a schedule, so this can definitely change. Since we are at the quarter point of the Redskins 2014, I thought it would be a good time to check and see where the Redskins stand going forward. For each game I will give a quick outlook of the opponent, followed by an optimistic and pessimistic viewpoint of the game, and give a prediction. Enjoy!

Game 5: Seattle Seahawks

Overview:

-The defending Super Bowl Champs are coming off a bye week and have a 2-1 record so far this season. They have been very impressive this season and continue to have a strong rushing attack and a relentless defense that really limits even the best opposing offenses in the league. The Redskins are going to have a lot of questionable players for this game, who even if they play could be at less than 100%.

Optimistic view:

-Not a lot to be optimistic about here. Maybe the Seahawks are too well rested from their bye and start off slow. The Seahawks do play worse on the road, so that is a plus.

Pessimistic view:

-Defending SB champion in town for a night game, which the Redskins just don’t do well in. The Seahawks look to be basically in midseason form and after last Thursday the Redskins can’t seem to get out of their own way. This has all the makings of another blowout loss for the Redskins.

Prediction:

-Loss, outside of the “any given Sunday” mentality that anything can happen there is very little to suggest the Redskins could steal this game.

Game 6: At Arizona Cardinals

Overview:

-The Cardinals are off to a 3-0 start this season and it’s possible their starting quarterback Carson Palmer will be back for this game. Arizona’s defense has been very good this season and their offense has the weapons to be dynamic.

Optimistic view:

-The Cardinals are coming off a short week and have to travel across country…oh wait that is the Redskins. The only optimistic view point here is if the Cardinals find a way to beat the Broncos this week they could easily be overlooking the Redskins that next game.

Pessimistic view:

The Skins will have a short week, have to travel, and still have a number of injury questions facing them. It’s going to be tough for the Redskins offense to get going versus that Cardinals defense (even if they were at full strength)

Prediction:

-Loss, Arizona is clearly the superior team and they are at home. Barring something crazy happening this is going to be an extremely tough one to win for the Redskins.

Game 7: Tennessee Titans

Overview:

-After a great week 1 where the Titans blew out the Chiefs, Tennessee has now lost three straight games. Their offense has really struggled and their defense isn’t making stops. Starting QB Jake Locker is injured, but appears like he will be back for this game against the Redskins.

Optimistic view:

-The Redskins will be at home and facing a team that is clearly incomplete. Even if Jake Locker is back, he’s hardly a top quarterback, and he should be someone the Redskins can have success against. Hopefully by this point the Redskins injuries woes will be a bit improved.

Pessimistic view:

-The biggest negative that could ruin this game for the Redskins is the fact that losing (and winning) can quickly become contagious. If the previous two games go as expected that will mean the Redskins will have lost 4 in a row. At that point it can quickly snowball into a far longer losing streak and you start losing games that you would normally win.

Prediction:

-Win, The Redskins should win this game and if they don’t, there are some serious issues going on with this team. Tennessee is not a very good football team right now, and the Redskins will be at home. This has to be a game the Redskins put away early.

Game 8: At Dallas Cowboys

Overview:

-After a disappointing week 1 performance, the Cowboys have now won 3 straight. The first two were against some of the weaker opponents on their schedule, but their 3rd win was last Sunday night versus the Saints.

Optimistic view:

-For a division game especially between these rivals, a lot of times you can ignore the record. The Redskins have upset the Cowboys in the past when the Redskins were struggling and the Cowboys were strong and same thing has happened when the roles were reversed. Even if the Redskins are struggling you have to hope this is a game they can get up for.

Pessimistic view:

-While a lot will depend on what will happen these next couple of weeks, but the Cowboys can be right in the thick of the division race at this point. With their offense clicking and the defense playing better than expected it’s going to be tough to beat them on the road. Also, this is a night game and the Skins don’t fare well in those games.

Prediction:

-Loss, While it would be nice to get the upset, it is tough to see how the Redskins defense can survive against that offense, particularly in the secondary. Maybe things would be different at home for the Redskins, but going on the road is going to be tough for an undisciplined team like the Redskins.

Game 9: At Minnesota Vikings

Overview:

-The Vikings are a far different team than what they opened the season with, as star running back Adrian Peterson is away from the team due to his impending child abuse trial, starting QB Matt Cassel is on injured reserve and top TE Kyle Rudolph is still expected to be out of that game.

Optimistic view:

-The Vikings will be starting a rookie QB, an unproven tailback situation and have one of the weaker WR corps in the league. That is the perfect situation for a struggling defense to face. Another factor is that Jay Gruden will be familiar with Vikings coach Mike Zimmer given their time together in Cincinnati.

Pessimistic view:

-Unfortunately the reverse works as well as Mike Zimmer is going to be pretty familiar with Jay Gruden from their Cincy days. The Vikings also have the advantage of being at home. The questions about Minnesota’s offense, don’t seem as prominent after they torched the Falcons for 38 points. Teddy Bridgewater looked pretty good and the Vikings ground game is still impressive even without Adrian Peterson.

Prediction:

-Loss, Hopefully this is a game the Redskins can steal, but it just doesn’t feel like this team can do that. The Vikings are better than most people give them credit for and they should be favored in games like this.

Bye

Game 10: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Overview:

-The Buccaneers just got their first win this past weekend as they went into Pittsburgh and upset the Steelers. Before that game the Bucs looked to be pretty inept overall. The Redskins should get Barry Cofield and possibly Robert Griffin III back for this game.

Optimistic view:

-The Buccaneers looked completely lost the first three weeks and the Redskins will be at home. Hopefully the return of Barry Cofield will bolster the defense and hopefully Griffin is ready to return as well and add a spark offensively. If both of those things happen, there is a lot of reason to believe the Redskins can win this game.

Pessimistic view:

-The Bucs just went into Pittsburgh and upset a Steelers team that is definitely better than the Redskins at this moment. One reason why Tampa looked so improved was the fact that they went to Mike Glennon as the starter. If he continues to play like that, and the Bucs stick by him, it could be a far different Tampa team the Redskins will see in November. Also, the idea that the return of RGIII will solve everything is definitely not a guarantee. He might not be fully mobile, and as was seen last year and in the preseason he’s still a work in progress.

Prediction:

Win, The Redskins can’t be too confident here, but hopefully they can beat the Buccaneers at home. One major concern is finding a way to stop the Bucs passing attack, which has a ton of potential.

 

Game 11: At San Francisco 49ers

Overview:

-The 49ers might not be as dominant as they have been in the past, but they are still 2-2 and their defense has been very opportunistic this year. San Francisco should also have back defensive starters Navarro Bowman and Aldon Smith for this game.

Optimistic view:

-The 49ers have some holes on defense that can be exploited through the air. It won’t be easy, but this is why the Redskins have added so many receivers. Another thing that could work in the Redskins favor is that the 49ers have the Seahawks the next week and could possibly overlook the Redskins.

Pessimistic view:

-The holes in the 49ers defense haven’t showed up every week, and they just shut down an Eagles offense that torched the Redskins. The only reason the Eagles were in that game is the fact that they had 3 defense/special teams touchdowns, what are the odds that the Redskins can get one of those. Given the return of some of the 49ers star defensive players and the fact they are at home it doesn’t look good for the Skins.

Prediction:

Loss, This is going to be an uphill battle for the Redskins and the type of game where they will need everything to go right for them to win. Chances of that happening are pretty bad.

Game 12: At Indianapolis Colts

Overview:

-The Colts lost their first two games, but since then have evened their record to 2-2. Andrew Luck is having a great start to the season and is among the league leaders in just about every passing category. The Colts defense and running game are definitely still behind their passing attack this year.

Optimistic view:

-The Colts have beaten up on bad teams these past two weeks, so they might be not as good as people think. The Colts defense is susceptible and can be exploited by good offenses.

Pessimistic view:

-The problem with the mindset that the Colts haven’t beaten a good team is it assumes the Redskins are a good team. That definitely doesn’t appear to be the case right now. The Colts are likely to be having a lot to play for in this game and they are at home. With the way Andrew Luck is playing the Redskins secondary is going to get shredded.

Prediction:

-Loss, The Redskins might find a little success against the Colts defense, but it’s unclear how they plan on stopping the Colts offense on the road.

Game 13: St. Louis Rams

Overview:

-After finishing strong last year the Rams had high hopes this season. Those got dashed when Sam Bradford went down with an injury in the preseason. New starter Shaun Hill also went down with injury leaving the job to Austin Davis. Hill should be back versus the Redskins.

Optimistic view:

-The Rams defense is struggling right now and this was supposed to be the strength of this team. Their offense is having trouble moving the ball and they are definitely underperforming as a whole. This could definitely be a case of this team falling apart, particularly if Jeff Fisher has lost the lockerroom at this point (which is possible).

Pessimistic view:

-While the Rams early start makes them look like a team the Redskins can beat, they are a team with a lot of talented players that could quickly get it together. Last year even without Sam Bradford they were a tough team to play down the stretch and nearly upset the Seahawks. They definitely can’t be taken lightly.

Prediction:

-Win, This could be a close game, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Rams defense starts to click by this game, especially if Chris Long is back and healthy. If the Rams defense is playing well this could quickly become a loss as it’s tough to imagine the Redskins offensive line holding up in this game.

Game 14: At New York Giants

Overview:

-This is a chance of redemption for the Redskins as they will travel to New York to face the Giants, who just crushed them on Thursday night.

Optimistic view:

-The Redskins will be healthier in this game and hopefully won’t be so unprepared.

Pessimistic view:

-The Redskins have to go on the road and try to win this game against a team that clearly just showed they were better than the Redskins. The idea that RGIII will make a major difference in this game doesn’t seem to hold a lot of water. The Giants were still easily beating the Redskins in the first half on Thursday at a time when Cousins was playing pretty well.

Prediction:

Loss, It’s tough to think the Redskins can go on the road here and knock off the Giants. Obviously a lot can happen between now and then, but right now their chances look bleak.

Game 15: Philadelphia Eagles

Overview:

-The Eagles are the favorite for the division and this game could have major playoff implications for them.

Optimistic view:

-The Redskins nearly beat the Eagles in Philadelphia so they could play spoiler here at the end of the season.

Pessimistic view:

-For as much of the talk of the Redskins missing players these past couple of weeks, the Eagles were also without some key guys in their match-up two weeks ago. Their offensive line could be fully fixed by this time, which might mean that McCoy and Sproles won’t be so easily bottled up. The Eagles are going to have a lot of play for in this game and will make it very tough on the Redskins.

Prediction:

Loss, with the Eagles fighting for playoffs, they’ll get the win here.

Game 16: Dallas Cowboys

Overview:

-The Cowboys could still potentially be in the playoff picture and this game could determine their fate.

Optimistic view:

-The Cowboys have played awful at the end of the season the past couple of years and have literally given away their playoff hopes. The Redskins are at home and hopefully will want to end the season on a good note. If the Cowboys are already eliminated from the playoffs they won’t have much to play for.

Pessimistic view:

-Yes the Cowboys have struggled in the past when given the chance to lock up a playoff spot, but this team could be a different story. Dallas has defied expectations so far this season and just feel like a different team.

Prediction:

Win, Regardless of the Cowboys playoff status, the Redskins need to get up for this game and upset their top rivals. The Redskins are at home and will desperately want to close out this season with a win.