The Washington Redskins will probably have a new quarterback next season. Although Kirk Cousins has been the best quarterback this team has had in over two decades, he and the Redskins have been unable to come to a long-term deal. Washington has used the franchise tag on him in each of the past two seasons and that means that Cousins is set to be a fully unrestricted free agent in 2018. That makes a successful 2017 campaign all the more important if the two sides want to join forces into the next decade.
Washington Redskins Futures Odds at BookMaker.eu
Redskins Over 7.5 Wins -116
Redskins Under 7.5 Wins -104
2017 Redskins Offense Preview
The bad news for the Redskins is that they lost both of their starting wide receivers to free agency in the offseason. Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson decided to leave the nation’s capital after each player was a 1,000-yard receiver in 2016.
The good news is that Washington might not see a drop off in production at all. The Redskins went out and signed Terrelle Pryor and Jamison Crowder looks like he has the talent to be one of the best slot receivers in the NFL. The main question revolves around Josh Doctson. Doctson was Washington’s first-round selection last season and injured his Achilles tendon twice, catching only two passes all season. He is battling health issues yet again this season.
Washington doesn’t have great options at the running back position. Rob Kelley looks set to start after Matt Jones fumbled the job away last year, but isn’t a great runner. He runs too upright and takes a beating because of it. Don’t be surprised if rookie Samaje Perine is the starter by the end of the season. He was a solid runner at Oklahoma and could put up good numbers if given the chance.
2017 Redskins Defense Preview
It’s been nine seasons since Washington had a defense that was in the top half of the NFL in points allowed per game, but the unit might finally be at least average this year. The Redskins may have scored a coup by selecting Jonathan Allen in the first-round of this year’s draft. Allen was seen as a potential Top 5 pick, but shoulder concerns saw his stock drop. Teammates have been raving about him in training camp and he has the chance to make an instant impact.
Washington needs some production out of the secondary in a big way. The team spent a lot of money on Josh Norman and DJ Swearinger over the last two offseasons and the duo are paired with two recent draft selections in Su’a Cravens and Bashaud Breeland. Norman is a necessity considering the receivers in this division and had a great first season with Washington.
2017 Washington Redskins Schedule Analysis
Although Washington is fortunate in getting to match up with the NFC West, possibly the worst division in football, it also has to play every team in the AFC West, maybe the best division.
If the AFC West isn’t the best division in the NFL, then the NFC East is supreme. Washington’s schedule is brutal and even cross-divisional games against the Saints and Vikings won’t be easy.
The Final Verdict
Most analysts are predicting that the Redskins will finish in the cellar of the NFC East and it’s hard to argue with that sentiment. There are too many questions surrounding too many positions in order to feel confident about this team’s chances.
If the team starts slow, things could boil over pretty quickly. Norman is known to be hot-headed and Cousins is brash too. That might spell disaster and lead to this team bottoming out. Washington starts the season with three of its first four games against Philadelphia, Oakland, and Kansas City and it’s not hard to imagine this team sitting at 1-3.
NFL Odds: Washington Redskins Under 7.5 Wins
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