Washington Redskins 2011 Schedule: Game-by-Game Look at the Redskins' Season

After a six-win season a year ago, the Washington Redskins look forward to an improvement in 2011.

The NFC East is arguably the most competitive division in football, but the rest of the schedule works in their favor. The Redskins will face nine teams with losing records, which could pave the way to a playoff berth.

The Redskins grabbed the 29th-hardest schedule in the league and will be featured on Monday Night Football once this year.

Here is a breakdown of the Redskins schedule for 2011.

New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: London Fletcher #59 of the Washington Redskins intercepts a pass in the endzone intended for Kevin Boss #89 of the New York Giants on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Pho

The Redskins were swept by the New York Giants a year ago, and that could happen again if the Redskins don’t improve in the off-season. Every game against the New York Giants is a war on the field.

They only lost by a field goal at home but were trounced 31-7 on the road. The Redskins will have revenge on their side when they play again in 2011.

The Redskins open up the season against the Giants on September 11th, which will be a very special game.

Dallas Cowboys

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled at the one yard line by Brian Orakpo #98 of the Washington Redskins at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Image

The Dallas Cowboys look to be a much improved team in 2011, but they only notched six wins a year ago.

The Redskins beat the Cowboys a year ago on opening day and lost the game at Dallas. The Redskins always get up for a game against the hated Cowboys. A split between these division rivals could be in the cards again.

The Redskins will get the Monday Night Spotlight against the Boys in the third game of the season.

Philadelphia Eagles

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Jerome Harrison #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a break against the Washington Redskins on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

In 2010, the games against the Philadelphia Eagles had extra meaning since Donovan Mcnabb was facing his former team. That motivated the Redskins to win the first meeting, but the second meeting was not close.

The Eagles posted 59 points on the Redskins in the second meeting, making it the most points the defense allowed all season. The Redskins close the season against the Eagles on New Years Day.

Arizona Cardinals

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 2: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a touchdown against the San Francisco 49er during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals are another team that could be in the market for the services of Donovan McNabb.

The Cardinals are a much better team than their record indicated in 2010. Luckily for the Redskins, the Cardinals will be playing this game in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins will avoid the road trip and have a chance to get a win as the Birds fly to the east coast.

The Redskins have to stay focused on the Cardinals with a prime-time game on deck.

At St. Louis Rams

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the Washington Redskins at the Edward Jones Dome on September 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Redskins 30-16. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The Washington redskins get a rematch with the St. Louis Rams after losing 30-16 a year ago.

The Rams rookie quarterback caught the Redskins looking ahead to their first meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles. Bradford was 23-of-37 for 235 yards, as he notched his first win in the NFL.

The Redskins will be ready for Bradford this time and looking to avenge the loss.

At Carolina Panthers

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SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 10: 2010 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton of Auburn throws the ball during his workout routine for the media at Cathedral High School's sports stadium on February 10, 2011 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horn

The game against the Carolina Panthers could be very interesting—especially if the Panthers select Cam Newton No. 1 overall in the NFL draft. Even if the Panthers draft him, there is no guaranteeing he will play in this game.

The Panthers were the worse team in the NFL a year ago and the Redskins cannot afford to look past the Panthers since this game is in Charlotte.

At Buffalo Bills (Toronto)

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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 07: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the Chicago Bears at Rogers Centre on November 7, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Chicago won 22-19. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Redskins will travel north of the border to play against the Buffalo Bills. The Redskins will play against the Bills the one time of year they travel to Toronto to entertain their Canadian fans.

This venue is not as easy a place to play in as it seems, so the Redskins better be ready.

San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 07: Jim Harbaugh speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the new San Francisco 49ers head coach at the Palace Hotel on January 7, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Redskins will face the San Francisco 49ers with new head coach Jim Harbaugh calling the shots. The 49ers did not have a great record a year ago but still have plenty of returning talent to make them a dangerous opponent on the schedule.

If Harbaugh has this team headed in the right direction, it could be a tough game for the Redskins.

At Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 14: Patrick Cobbs #38 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans at Sun Life Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Redskins take their talents to South Beach to take on the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are an admirable opponent that will be hard to beat in their own house. This will be the second road game against a member of the AFC East.

The Redskins have a game with the Cowboys on deck, making this an easy game to look past.

At Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates his 67-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Se

Pete Carroll will bring the Seattle Seahawks to town to take on the Redskins. The Seattle Seahawks did not finish with a winning record a year ago, but they did make the playoffs.

The coast-to-coast trip for the Hawks may take a toll on this team, and it could equal a win for the Redskins.

New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Head coach of the New York Jets, Rex Ryan looks on from the sideline against the Miami Dolphins at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The boisterous Rex Ryan will come to Washington with the always tough New York Jets ready to play. The Jets will be a tough draw at home with their suffocating defense and steady offense.

The Redskins are lucky to get the Jets at home, and that will give them an outside shot of making this a close game.

New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown by teammate BenJarvis Green-Ellis in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

There is always a buzz on NFL game day when Tom Brady and the New England Patriots come to town. The Patriots are just one of two teams that the Redskins play out of conference that had a winning record a year ago.

A win over a team like New England would go a long way in building this team's confidence.

Minnesota Vikings

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings are the rumored destination for disgruntled quarterback Donovan McNabb.

If the Redskins pull off the deal, this will be a must-watch game on the Redskins schedule. McNabb will remember the embarrassing benching and look to make a statement against his former team.

Schedule Recap

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LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 12: DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins celebrates his touchdown during the NFL season opener against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on September 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The Redskins have to be very excited about their 2011 schedule.

Playing one of the easiest schedules in the league will get them a chance to return to the postseason. They have a tough draw in the AFC East, but get the toughest teams at home.

They play against the worst division in football from a year ago in the NFC West, and their toughest road game out of conference could be in St. Louis.

The Redskins and their fans should be thrilled with the schedule and ready to kickoff the season.

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail].