The Washington Redskins have won a combined 17 games the last two years, but let's make some early predictions as to how their record will play out weekly.
The 2017 NFL schedule was released last week and optimism was high in 32 NFL cities. With the NFL draft just days away, fans love going through the schedule deciding which is the toughest and easiest part of their team's schedule. What about the Washington Redskins?
What stretch is Washington's toughest? And which would be the easiest? Can the Redskins avenge the Cowboys after being swept last season by America's Team?
There is still over four months until the actual NFL season begins. We still haven't quite gotten to the draft yet. However, it's never too soon to start looking at each's team schedule and deciding how the team will fare in all 16 games.
For the Redskins, who went 8-7-1 in 2016 after making the playoffs in 2015, lots of questions surround this team. Can they get enough help in the upcoming draft to compete with the Cowboys and Giants in 2017?
Washington lost both Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, but signed Terrelle Pryor and should have a healthy Josh Doctson. Will the combination of Pryor, Doctson, Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder help overcome the loss of the team's top two receivers from a year ago?
Let's take a stab at how the Washington Redskins' 2017 season could shake out.
Jan 1, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys, 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Redskins have owned the Eagles in recent seasons, winning the last five meetings. With Carson Wentz now in Philly, things will be much tougher on the Redskins especially with the offseason acquisitions of Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to bolster an anemic wide receiver corps. Both of last season's games were decided by one score and a big reason the Redskins won both games was Philly's inability to stop Washington's passing game.
The Eagles have done very little bolster their pass defense on the eve of the draft, but the Redskins are now minus Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson. Cousins has had his share of big games against the Eagles. And after a slow start to the 2016 season, Cousins will have a nice game against Philadelphia to kick off the 2017 season. He will get enough help from a rebuilt defense to hold off the Eagles, 27-23, to propel the Redskins to a 1-0 record to begin the new season.
Result: Washington: 27, Philadelphia: 23
Week 2: at Los Angeles Rams
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Gruden meets former offensive coordinator Sean McVay in this Week 2 tilt. McVay has a tough task in 2017 making the Rams respectable. Fortunately for him, he has Wade Phillips as his defensive coordinator and Todd Gurley to run the football. The Rams made some moves in free agency to beef up their offensive line and they will run the ball better in 2017. However, Jared Goff is still taking snaps and that's good news for the Redskins.
While Goff will be better in 2017, the Redskins will send a variety of bodies at him early and often, confusing him and forcing him into a couple of turnovers. That will be enough to give the Redskins an early lead and despite a late rally by LA., Washington stands firm and to begin the season 2-0 and get an important road victory.
Result: Washington: 24, Los Angeles: 17
Week 3: vs. Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are on the rise. Derek Carr is already one of the game's top passers and if he hadn't been injured at the end of last season, the Raiders would've made noise in the playoffs.
This is the first of Washington's primetime games as Oakland comes to FedEx Field on a Sunday night. The Raiders weren't very good on defense in 2016 and appear headed toward a regression on that side of the ball in 2017. Of course, Oakland can still add some depth to the interior of the defensive line and the secondary in this week's NFL draft.
Points will come easily to both sides in this game. Carr will pass for over 350 yards and Cousins will also throw for over 300. While the Redskins will be able to run the ball, they'll abandon it in the fourth quarter allowing the Raiders to pull away in a fun early-season matchup.
Prediction: Oakland: 34, Washington: 27
Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City has been a house of horrors for the Redskins. Actually, just playing the Chiefs in general is a struggle for Washington. The Redskins are 1-8 all time versus Kansas City. While these two teams appear similar in regards to talent, playing in Arrowhead Stadium will give the Chiefs the boost they need to force the Redskins into the bye week with consecutive losses.
Prediction: Kansas City: 21, Washington: 14
The Redskins head into the bye week with a 2-2 record.
Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) hands the ball off to running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Redskins catch a break in the scheduling with San Francisco coming to D.C. after the bye week. The Redskins faced one former offensive coordinator in Week 2 and were victorious. In this meeting, the former coordinator is Kyle Shanahan, who was Washington's offensive coordinator for four seasons from 2010-13. Also, Washington's former No. 1 receiver, Garcon, is now with the Niners.
San Francisco will be much improved in 2017. Unfortunately, the 49ers still have a long way to go from a talent standpoint and while they'll be competitive, Shanahan gets to see why he wants Cousins as his quarterback. Expect a big day from Cousins, Reed and Pryor as the Redskins roll.
Prediction: Washington: 31, San Francisco: 13
Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles
In what appears to be a scheduling quirk, Washington plays Philadelphia again before meeting either of the other two division opponents. No worries, they're coming.
In this one, Philly's new receivers are getting more comfortable with Wentz and the defense stiffens up and shuts down Washington's running game, making the Redskins one-dimensional and the Eagles finally reign victorious over the Skins.
Prediction: Philadelphia: 20, Washington: 14
Week 8: vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Redskins get back-to-back NFC East opponents for the first time in 2017 in the form of the defending division champion Dallas. Last year, Dallas swept Washington as the Redskins gave one away at home early in the season.
Washington made it an offseason priority beef up its run defense in 2017, mainly due to Dallas and Ezekiel Elliot. Will it result in victory in 2017? As always, this one will be tightly contested. While the Redskins won't shut down Elliot, they'll force a couple of turnovers and Cousins will light up a suspect Dallas secondary.
Prediction: Washington: 27, Dallas: 24
Week 9: at Seattle Seahawks
The Redskins get to come off an exhilaring win over their biggest rival with a trip across the country to CenturyLink Field. This is no prize. Seattle is always stingy at home.
Can the Redskins travel to Seattle and pull off the upset?
The Legion of Boom will frustrate Cousins into a pair of turnovers, while Russell Wilson makes some plays with his legs and lifts the 'Hawks to victory.
Prediction: Seattle: 20, Washington: 13
Much like in the season's first quarter, the Redskins go 2-2 in the season's second quarter and stand at 4-4 on the season.
Dec 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) takes the field for action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Week 10: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The last time these two teams played, it went well for the Redskins. Washington dominated much of the game until Minnesota made a late rally and linebacker Preston Smith sacked Vikings' quarterback Sam Bradford to clinch it for the Redskins. That game also happened to be in Week 10 last year.
Minnesota was short a few players. The Vikings have the makings of a dominant offense if they can get anything from Bradford and the offense. That's the ultimate question. Minnesota struggles along the offensive line and have very few weapons outside of Stefon Diggs.
This one will be close, much like last year. And just like last year, the Redskins get some big plays from their defense to pull a close one out at home to pull to 5-4 on the season.
Prediction: Washington: 16, Minnesota: 13
Week 11: at New Orleans Saints
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The last time Washington traveled to the Superdome, it went well. That was 2012 and Robert Griffin III's debut. A lot has changed since then. The Redskins are much better on offense. Playing in New Orleans against Drew Brees is always a challenge. You better score some points. New Orleans' Achilles heel is defense; always has been. The Saints are making efforts to change that.
The Saints will be better on defense in 2017. However, it won't be enough to stop Washington's high-powered offense. Both quarterbacks will have big days, but the Redskins will prevail in a shootout.
Prediction: Washington: 38, New Orleans: 34
Week 12: vs. New York Giants
For the first time in the franchise's rich history, the Redskins will host a game on Thanksgiving Day. And the New York Giants will be Washington's opponent. These teams always seem to face off in primetime and the stakes couldn't be much higher.
Both teams enter this matchup with a winning record and playoff hopes firmly alive. The Giants will have a better offense in 2017, thanks in part to improvements at tight end and running back. Brandon Marshall's presence is big, too. Much like always, this game will be ugly, close and physical. Fortunately for Washington, this one is at home and the Redskins will make the fans happy with a last-second field goal to win it.
Prediction: Washington: 19, New York: 17
Week 13: at Dallas Cowboys
The Redskins are riding high on a three-game winning streak and here comes Dallas. This is the second Thursday game in a row for both teams. Much like the Redskins, the Cowboys are on a roll, too. The NFC East is still up for grabs as all four teams enter this stretch with winning records.
Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott will both have big games for Dallas. Dez Bryant makes some big plays and the Cowboys pull away to split the season series.
Prediction: Dallas: 28, Washington: 17
The Redskins finish the third quarter of the season with a 3-1 record and now stand at 7-5 as the season hits the final stretch.
Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws a ball during warm ups before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Week 14: at Los Angeles Chargers
The Redskins kick off the final quarter of the season with their last trip to the west coast. This time, Washington faces the Los Angeles Chargers. This is a tough game to call. The Chargers look dominant one week and an absolute disaster the next. Sort of like, you know, the Redskins. Led by Philip Rivers, the Chargers will once again be strong on offense.
While the game will be close, Washington will get some pressure on Rivers to force some early throws allowing the Redskins to pick up a huge road win over an AFC West opponent for the first time in 2017.
Prediction: Washington: 23, Los Angeles: 20
Week 15: vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Redskins traveled to Arizona with everything on the line in 2016, yet fell flat on their faces. The defense was awful, they couldn't run the ball and Cousins looked unsettled the entire game. Now, one year later, Washington gets its chance for revenge with the Cardinals coming to FedEx Field.
Carson Palmer may not even be starting at this point. Arizona will be and down on both sides of the ball in 2017 with a lot of turnover on defense. That's good for the Redskins.
Prediction Washington: 28, Arizona: 20
Week 16: vs. Denver Broncos
The Redskins finally get back-to-back home games for the first time in the 2017 season. Unfortunately, the second leg of this homestand features perhaps the most talented defense in the league in the Denver Broncos.
Cousins gets to face Denver's vaunted secondary and he will face his share of issues. Von Miller will get to Cousins at least once and that will force a costly mistake. Denver will get just enough out of its quarterback to get an important road win late on Christmas Eve.
Prediction: Denver: 20, Washington: 13
Week 17: at New York Giants
The Redskins face the Giants in Week 17 with their season on the line. Does this sound familiar? This was the case in 2016 and the Redskins couldn't get the job done.
This game, unlike last season's finale, will still be important for the G-Men. The Giants are still fighting for the NFC East, while the Redskins are battling for a Wild Card berth. Eli Manning will come through with a strong performance and help propel the Giants to the win and the NFC East title. For Washington, the Redskins finish the 2017 regular season with two-straight losses and just miss out on a Wild Card spot.
Prediction: New York: 28, Washington: 20
The Redskins finish 2017 with a record of 9-7, good for their third-straight season with a winning record. Much like in past years, the defense again costs Washington is some big spots.
