NFC East Schedule Analysis: Redskins
With the NFL finally releasing the 256-game regular season slate for 2020, it’s time to look ahead and predict how teams will fare. Here is this year’s schedule analysis for the Washington Redskins.
Last Year’s Record: 3-13
Through Week 13 of last season, the Washington Redskins were still alive in the playoff race with a 3-9 record. They lost four straight games, finishing in the cellar of the worst division in football. With a new coach and a more-experienced Dwayne Haskins, can Washington flip their fortunes?
Schedule
Week 1
vs. Philadelphia (9/13, 1:00pm)
Week 2
@ Arizona (9/20, 4:05pm)
Week 3
@ Cleveland (9/27, 1:00pm)
Week 4
vs. Baltimore (10/4, 1:00pm)
Week 5
vs. LA Rams (10/11, 1:00pm)
Week 6
@ NY Giants (10/18, 1:00pm)
Week 7
vs. Dallas (10/25, 1:00pm)
Week 8
BYE Week
Week 9
vs. Giants (11/08, 1:00pm)
Week 10
@ Detroit (11/15. 1:00pm)
Week 11
vs. Cincinnati (11/22, 1:00pm)
Week 12
@ Dallas (11/26, 4:30pm)
Week 13
@ Pittsburgh (12/6, 1:00pm)
Week 14
@ San Francisco (12/13, 4:25pm)
Week 15
vs. Seattle (12/20, 1:00pm)
Week 16
vs. Carolina (12/27, 1:00pm)
Week 17
@ Philadelphia (1/3, 1:00pm)
Most Intriguing Game: Week 11 vs. Cincinnati
The Bengals had the #1 overall pick in the draft this year and took Joe Burrow, the LSU QB that took the NCAA by storm en route to a championship. Before Burrow went to LSU and began torching the nation weekly, he was beat out at Ohio State by Dwayne Haskins, the man starting for Washington. Haskins, the third QB selected last year, started seven games for Washington last year, finishing with a 2-2 record and an ugly 76.1 passer rating. With a new coach in tow and the dangerous Terry McLaurin in his arsenal, can Haskins see a sophomore-year jump akin to Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Carson Wentz? Meanwhile, can Joe Burrow, with A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon by his side, be a star from the outset? The former teammates will test their talents against each other in what should be an exciting game.
Most Important Game: Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
In a loaded NFC, the Redskins don’t project to make much noise this year. The perception of their team can quickly change with a strong performance in Week 1 against the division rival Eagles. As a team that has made the playoffs three consecutive times, the Eagles could be the Redskins biggest competition for a division title. After two consecutive strong drafts and a second-year passer hopefully ready to make the leap, there are no excuses for 2x Coach of the Year Ron Rivera and his Redskins to flop. Their season likely follows the tone set here.
Most Important Stretch: Weeks 6-11
If Washington wants to stay afloat in the NFC playoff race, they must take advantage of the most forgiving part of their schedule. Included in this span are the Giants twice, the Cowboys, the Lions, and the Bengals. Anything less than a 4-1 record here could mean the end for Washington’s postseason hopes. After this stretch, they get thrown to the wolves in four consecutive games against Dallas, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Seattle. This stretch could easily go 0-4. It’s a tough slate for a team trying to reach the postseason for the first time since 2015, so it’s imperative that they gain an edge in the parts that allow them to.
Prediction:
I believe in Ron Rivera, I believe in Terry McLaurin, and I believe in the sinister defensive line that the Redskins are constructing. What I don’t believe in, however, is the schedule. Washington may give the Eagles a run for their money, but they’ll ultimately fall short in both games. The same goes for the games against Dallas, but I could see them sweeping the Giants, whose offensive line will be overwhelmed. They’ll split between Cleveland/Arizona, fall to Baltimore, conquer LA, split between Detroit/Cincy, and then go 0-3 against Pittsburgh, San Fran, and Seattle. Ron Rivera will emerge victorious against his former team in Carolina, bringing Washington to 6-10, and their focus will be on next season.
Scheduling information comes from the Redskins’ official website, and statistics are according to Pro Football Reference.
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