(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The 2008 season saw the Redskins get off to an impressive 6-3 start, which kept them within striking distance of the NFC’s top teams.
However, things took a decided turn for the worst after their bye week in Week 10. After their bye, Washington only managed two more wins on the year to see their season nosedive to an 8-8 record and just barely out of playoff contention.
They’ll get an average strength of schedule this year as their ‘09 opponents bring a .492 winning percent and 125-129-2 record with them from 2008. Some points of interest throughout their schedule include being featured twice at home on a Monday night and also having the benefit of playing three teams who will be coming off Monday nighters and short weeks when they play the 'Skins.
One travel note to take into consideration will be after the Skins host the Saints on a Monday night in Week 13, they then have to travel to Oakland for their game the next week. A short week and a long travel could have an effect on them there.
The big concern going into 2009 will be if Jason Campbell can perform to the level he needs to for the 'Skins to reach the next level. The team has a good amount of talent around him, however the passing game was a definite weakness in ‘08 as Washington ranked 22nd in passing yards.
Management didn’t show much confidence in their starting signal caller this offseason as they publicly showed interest in both Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez. How Campbell responds to this kind of controversy could make or break his year.
While Washington may have finished at the bottom of the NFC East last year, offensively they may have some of the most talented players, or at least the most experienced.
With Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer being let go in New York, Terrell Owens being traded out of Dallas, and Philadelphia lacking a true, proven veteran, Santana Moss and Antwan Randle El could be some of the top receivers in the division, not counting the potential for many of the division’s youngsters like Jeremy Maclin. Along with new addition Roydell Williams and mainstay Chris Cooley, Washington has the potential to improve on last year’s poor passing numbers.
In the areas Washington struggled last year, they made the effort to upgrade those spots in the offseason. Washington ranked 21st in sacks allowed, so gone is tackle Jon Jansen and in are UFAs Derrick Dockery and Jeremy Bridges.
On the other side of the ball, the 'Skins ranked a poor 27th in sacks for and made a huge splash in free agency by signing Albert Haynesworth to clog up the middle of the field and allow his teammates to get more pressure on the QB. They drafted a potential instant starter in Brian Orakpo, brought in UFA DE Renaldo Wynn and cut ties with their one-year experiment of Jason Taylor.
Washington’s running game remains intact, as well as their secondary, and all but Marcus Washington in the LB corps. The 'Skins had a strong run game and already ranked high against rushing the pass.
With the improvements they’ve made and the potential I see for some of their stars, like many teams, if their QB can have a productive year, they should be a force in 2009, which will be lead me to bet over the eight wins.
For a preview of the NFC West check out my other article: NFC West: Betting the NFL Season Win Totals
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/188683-nfl-season-win-totals-betting-the-nfc-west
We're going to send you the most entertaining Washington Redskins articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
12 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete