Redskins 2016 Season Preview

For starters, we need to know what the depth chart will look like. I am extremely happy with General Manager Scot McCloughan’s draft picks and believe six out of seven will make the team and be a contributing factor this season and five out of the six seeing action this year. Let’s take a look at the offense first:
QB (3): Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy, Nate Sudfield (R)
RB (3): Matt Jones, Chris Thompson, Keith Marshall (R)
WR (6): Pierre Garçon, DeSean Jackson, Josh Doctson (R), Jamison Crowder, Ryan Grant, Rashad Ross
TE (3): Jordan Reed, Niles Paul, Vernon Davis
OT (4): Trent Williams, Morgan Moses, Ty Nsekhe, Takoby Cofield
OG (4): Brandon Scherff, Shawn Lauvao, Spencer Long, Arie Kouandjio
C (2): Kory Lichtensteiger, Josh LeRibeus
I think there’s space for Nate Sudfield on the roster however if there was any spot on the roster where a player were to be expendable for depth somewhere else, it would be Sudfield. McCoy has been a quality backup, but he’ll be turning 30 during the season. Sudfield is a fresh backup that can be an understudy to both Cousins and McCoy. With Silas Redd, Jr. suspended, Keith Marshall will most likely be the third back as Jones is the definite starter and Thompson has more experience to be back #2. At the start of the season, Josh Doctson will be behind Garçon and Jackson but will eventually eclipse Garçon as the starter. After multiple injuries and less of an offensive producer as Paul, I think the Redskins will have Paulsen walk. Depth along the line is important as the Redskins have seen many injuries the past couple of seasons.
Now the defense and ST:
DE (5): Stephen Paea, Trent Murphy, Chris Baker, Ricky Jean-Francois, Kendall Reyes
DT (3): Kedric Golston, Matt Ioannidis (R), Jerrell Powe
LB (8): Ryan Kerrigan, Junior Galette, Will Compton, Mason Foster, Preston Smith, Terence Garvin, Martrell Spaight, Houston Bates
DB (9): Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland, DeAngelo Hall, Su’a Cravens (R), Will Blackmon, David Bruton, Jr., Kendall Fuller (R), Quinton Dunbar, Greg Toler
ST (3): Dustin Hopkins, Tress Way, Nick Sundberg
Since the Redskins run a 3-4, I see a good amount of depth along the defensive line. The Redskins moved OLB Trent Murphy to the line in the offseason and signed Kendall Reyes from the San Diego Chargers. This provides plenty of options to rotate for the defense. Nose tackle is a weak spot as 11-year veteran Kedric Golston will finally be the man in the middle. Don’t be surprised to see Chris Baker appear as NT either, and rookie Matt Ioannidis will get some reps with Jerrell Powe being a decent substitute if need be. The year overdue one-two punch of Ryan Kerrigan and Junior Galette will have Skins fans cheering all season, and sophomore Preston Smith will continue to build on his solid rookie season. Will Compton and Mason Foster will be a great young duo for the Redskins in the middle. A surprise cut will be Perry Riley, Jr. who counts too much against the cap and isn’t worth keeping around when there is young talent. Garvin, Spaight, and Bates will most likely be on special teams. The defensive back core is an exciting one with big-name free agent Josh Norman making his starting debut for the Redskins. Alongside him will be Bashaud Breeland, providing the Redskins with an excellent cornerback pair – something Skins fans haven’t heard in more than a decade. Cornerback depth is solid as well with third-round pick Kendall Fuller protecting the slot, and sophomore Quinton Dunbar and veteran Greg Toler being backups. Second round pick safety/linebacker hybrid Su’a Cravens will be the starting strong safety and veteran DeAngelo Hall will be the free safety, and Will Blackmon and David Bruton, Jr. will be on special teams and backup safeties. This defense is a large improvement everywhere but NT, and it will be difficult for coaches to narrow down who will make the roster with so much talent around.
Now the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the 2016 season predictions:
Monday, September 12, 7:10p vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: L, 27-10. The Redskins will have a tough test their first week against an iron-strong defense and an electric offense from Pittsburgh. Expect a strong game from the Steelers but don’t be worried if the Redskins struggle. (0-1).
Sunday, September 18, 1p vs. Dallas Cowboys: W, 24-21. The Josh Norman vs. Dez Bryant NFC East rivalry starts – and it’s exciting. This one will come down to the wire as the Redskins defense avenges their Week 13 loss to the Cowboys at home last season. (1-1).
Sunday, September 25, 1p @ New York Giants: L, 21-17. Winning on the road was tough for the Redskins last season, and New York is not the easiest place for the Redskins to win. Another rivalry continues and you know we don’t need to name names. The punches will speak for themselves Week 3. (1-2).
Sunday, October 2, 1p vs. Cleveland Browns: W, 31-13. Lol. RG3. Expect Redskins fans from all over to say Cousins, Norman, Jackson, Jones, Doctson, Breeland, Cravens, and many more deserve to be in the Pro Bowl. (2-2).
Sunday, October 9, 1p @ Baltimore Ravens: L, 21-14. Let’s be honest, the Ravens sucked last year. However, a healthy Breshad Perriman and an away game for the Redskins will give Baltimore the edge. (2-3).
Sunday, October 16, 1p vs. Philadelphia Eagles: W, 30-14. A come-from-behind, last minute drive gave the Redskins a 23-20 win last season at home against the Eagles in week 4. This year, Washington will handle a fresh-faced Philly team at home. (3-3).
Sunday, October 23, 1p @ Detroit Lions: W, 21-10. Lions without Megatron look like cubs. A ferocious Redskins defense will quiet the Lions. (4-3).
Sunday, October 30, 9:30a @ Cincinnati (London): L, 31-7. The Redskins always have a couple games a season where they look horrible. This is one. Strong Bengals’ offense and defense will give the Skins a long journey back to the States. (4-4).
Sunday, November 13, 1p vs. Minnesota Vikings: W, 13-10. The Vikings are a playoff-caliber team and can give Green Bay a run for its money, but a Redskins team at home coming off a bye week will be too much for Bridgewater and co. Expect a defensive showdown. (5-4).
Sunday, November 20, 8:30p vs. Green Bay Packers: L, 27-20. Wild card playoffs rematch, with better results…kinda. The Packers are a possible Super Bowl 51 team, the Redskins a possible division winner. Game sheriff Aaron Rodgers will outcoach Captain Kirk. (5-5).
Thursday, November 24, 4:30p @ Dallas Cowboys (Thanksgiving): W, 34-10. By this time of the season, both Tony Romo and Dez Bryant will most likely be injured. The Redskins should be able to handle a horrible defense and a team led by Dak Prescott, Kellen Moore, Johnny Manziel, or Tim Tebow. (6-5).
Sunday, December 4, 4:25p @ Arizona Cardinals: L, 41-20. Yikes. The second game in the season where the Redskins look horrible. (6-6).
Sunday, December 11, 1p @ Philadelphia Eagles: W, 24-21. Redskins struggle in Lincoln Financial this game, but a last second field goal will have their eyes set on repeating as division champs. (7-6).
Monday, December 19, 8:30p vs. Carolina Panthers: L, 28-16. Josh Norman will have a good game against his old team, but a great run defense and offense from Carolina will stifle the Redskins. (7-7).
Saturday, December 24, 1p @ Chicago Bears: W, 17-14. Expect a snowy, low-scoring, endless turnovers game. (8-7).
Sunday, January 1, 1p vs. New York Giants: W, 31-28. Norman vs. Beckham, Jr. 3.0. NFC East championship on the line. Both teams sitting at 8-7. This game will most likely move to primetime as the Redskins will repeat as 9-7 NFC East champions and host the 5th seed (Minnesota Vikings) in the Wild Card at FedEx. (9-7).
Sunday, January 8, 4:40p vs. Minnesota Vikings: W, 21-14. Week 9 rematch, same results. The Redskins will win their first playoff game in a decade, taking care of the Vikings once again and head to Arizona. (10-7).
Sunday, January 15, 1p @ Arizona Cardinals: L, 35-10. Cardinals have been here before, Redskins haven’t, and Arizona is the much better team. A great 2016-17 season comes to the end, but Redskins fans are excited for the future. (10-8).