2011 NFL Predictions: Washington Redskins Predictions Game by Game

The 2011 NFL season is off and running, therefore it is certainly within reason now to accurately predict the result of each game.  

Despite the current absence of free agency, training camp and preseason, there is a seething element of our manhood (or manly womanhood) that emerges to showcase our expertise in predicting the future of the NFL. 

The source comes from the same energy that manipulates us into believing our masculinity is determined by how many beers we can drink in an hour, or how many points our fantasy teams score.

My brother and I used to determine the greater alpha by who could hold their fist under scalding hot water the longest.  To each his own.

The best thing to do is not resist.  Just let the juices flow and get it out of your system. 

Therefore, I am compelled to submit and display what will soon be determined as a surprisingly accurate and insightful account of the Washington Redskins' fortunes in 2011.  Enjoy.

Week 1 vs. New York Giants

The Redskins open up against the team who has owned them for the past decade.  While faring a little better at home against the Giants, Washington has traditionally found ways to lose or not even show up against the Big Blue Wrecking Crew.

The Giants will fare similarly as they did last year with the exception of having a healthy receiving corps.  This is bad news for the Redskins as they were often torched last year by New York’s reserve wideouts.

The bottom line is that the Redskins don’t feel they can beat New York, and Opening Day will be no exception.  Washington opens up the season with a loss.

Giants 27, Redskins 13

Week 2 vs. Arizona Cardinals

The quarterback situation in Arizona is currently to be determined.  Assuming the best-case scenario, Kevin Kolb may be starting for the league's oldest franchise.

The good news for the Redskins is that it won’t make much of a difference.  Washington faced Kolb last year as he relieved an injured Michael Vick.  He did not perform well at home against a terrible 3-4 defense as the Skins held Philadelphia at bay. 

Kolb will continue to struggle against a 3-4 as his signature victory in 2010 came against a solid yet unspectacular Atlanta Falcons 4-3.

Washington also has owned Arizona at home.  The Cardinals do not travel to the East Coast well.  The Redskins are able to control the ball on the ground and John Beck settles in. 

Redskins 20, Cardinals 13

Week 3 at Dallas Cowboys (Monday Night Football)

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett hopes to continue his success since taking over in Big D last year.  Look for Dallas to be crisper on offense as their confidence in Garrett grows.

The outcome of this game will be determined by the jersey color Washington wears.  It is widely know that when Washington sports their red/burgundy jerseys with white pants, they either underperform or lose to bad teams.  

If they find a way to sport an alternative jersey, they will have more of a chance. 

Mike Shanahan most likely has overlooked this fact and dresses his team to failure.  The Redskins lose once again in their sole Monday Night Football contest of the season.

Cowboys 31, Redskins 13

Week 4 at St. Louis Rams

As bad as the St. Louis Rams have been over the past few years, they seem to have the Redskins' number. 

Washington has lost three out of their last four against one of the worst teams in the league since 2006.  Their lone win came at home in a captivating 9-7 nail-biter. 

Last year, the Redskins gave rookie quarterback Sam Bradford plenty of early season confidence as Donovan McNabb had hopeful Skins fans scratching their heads. 

St. Louis has visions of a division title and playoff berth this year.  Their confidence against the Redskins is sky-high.  Look for that trend to continue.

Rams 24, Redskins 17

Week 6 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Coming off the bye, the Redskins face Michael Vick for the first time in 2011. 

With memories of the Monday Night beatdown Vick and the Eagles gave Washington last year, the Redskins step things up a notch. 

The ground game gets going and John Beck seems to be settling down. 

Vick, however, is too much for the Redskins to overcome. 

A late touchdown drive seals it for Philadelphia as the Redskins drop their fourth game of the season.

Eagles 27, Redskins 24

Week 7 at Carolina Panthers

The Redskins fly south to Charlotte where they make the terrible decision to don their red jerseys and white pants again.  Skins fans everywhere scream at their television sets in disbelief.

Carolina knows they can beat the Redskins and open up the game with an 80-yard touchdown drive.  The aura of the red jerseys forces Washington to play down to their competition. 

It will take superhuman effort to overcome it. 

Fortunately, rookie running back Roy Helu Jr. has a coming-out party.  He rushes for 144 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown as the Burgundy and Gold prevail.

Redskins 19, Panthers 17

Week 8 at Buffalo Bills

Washington’s last game against Buffalo was the first game they played after the untimely death of Sean Taylor. 

It was a game they should have won. 

After controlling the first half, Buffalo’s Fred Jackson ran wild.  An ill-advised timeout from Joe Gibbs gave Buffalo an extra 15 yards to seal the Redskins' fate with a last-second field goal.

This time, the Bills don’t get so lucky. 

The Redskins are able to move the ball and control the clock while the defense begins to click.  Rookie linebacker Ryan Kerrigan gets his fist two career sacks in the NFL as Washington wins on the road.

Redskins 21, Bills 17 

Week 9 vs. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers were a disappointment last year, opening the season with five straight losses.  San Francisco’s run defense was a strength, however, and that continues in 2011. 

The Redskins counter with a 60/40 pass-to-run ratio.  John Beck looks comfortable in the pocket and runs the offense to perfection.  The 49ers have to get away from top rusher Frank Gore by halftime. 

Unable to play catch-up, San Fran falters and the Redskins give the home crowd lots to cheer about in their most convincing win of the season.

Redskins 28, 49ers 14

Week 10 at Miami Dolphins

I expect Miami to struggle this year without a distinct vision at quarterback and with running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams opting to go elsewhere. 

The Dolphins' lone offensive weapon, Brandon Marshall, often draws double-teams and is held at bay. 

The Redskins fall behind early but are able to keep the Dolphins on their heels with a mid-ranged passing attack and bootleg options. 

John Beck sends a strong message to the team that drafted him and then let him go.  He leads Washington to victory in the rain in South Florida as the Redskins go one game over .500 for the year.

Redskins 20, Dolphins 17

Week 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Redskins take on the Dallas Cowboys, who are currently in first place in the NFC East. 

After being embarrassed on Monday Night Football, Mike Shanahan has a few tricks up his sleeve.  Washington is in the midst of a winning streak and their confidence is riding sky-high. 

The game goes back and forth with the Cowboys driving in the last few minutes trailing by four.  On the last play of the game, Romo finds Dez Bryant in the back of the end zone for the winning score. 

But wait…there’s a flag on the ground.  It’s déjà vu all over again, as Brian Orakpo gets held.  By rule, the final 10 seconds are run off and Washington pulls out the win at home.

Redskins 24, Cowboys 20

Week 12 at Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks expected to compete for the division.  Instead, they are disappointed with just four wins thus far. 

Pete Carroll’s squad is struggling on defense but hopes to turn things around and make a playoff run.  Seattle is able to do just that. 

The wind, rain, and the infamous 12^th man stymie the Redskins offense.  Two turnovers lead to Seattle touchdowns and the Seahawks give their fans something to cheer about.

Seahawks 21, Redskins  7

Week 13 vs. New York Jets

For the second week in a row, the Redskins shrivel from a dominating defense.  The Jets pressure John Beck all day. 

The game is close enough for Washington to stick with the run.  They get something going in the third quarter but it's not enough to shake Rex Ryan and that cocky Jets swagger. 

Mark Sanchez manages the game and New York’s defense does the rest.  The Jets leave FedEx with a convincing victory that puts them alone atop the AFC East.

Jets 21, Redskins 10

Week 14 vs. New England Patriots

Despite the recent losing streak, FedEx Field is packed to see Tom Brady come to Washington.  It’s been eight long years since Brady played here in a regular-season game. 

Bill Belichick comes well prepared.  Through his connections with the U.S. Air Force and air traffic controllers at nearby Leesburg Airport, Belichick has been flying hummingbird spy drones around Redskins Park all week. 

The Patriots jump out to a quick 14-0 lead and never look back.  The Redskins are dejected and dumbfounded.  It’s as if New England knew the plays before they were coming.

Patriots 35, Redskins 6

Week 15 at New York Giants

The Redskins are determined to get back on the winning path. 

Mike Shanahan unleashes a play-action scheme that pays immediate dividends.  After scoring a touchdown on their first play from scrimmage, the Redskins forget that they are playing in New York where they have been manhandled repeatedly over the years. 

John Beck suffers a concussion and believes he is back at BYU tossing the rock around for crazy stats. 

The Redskins defense comes together after an abysmal loss the previous week and intercepts Eli Manning twice returning one for a score. 

The Giants Jinx is broken, at least for now.

Redskins 31, Giants 21

Week 16 vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings come to town on Christmas Eve in the midst of a three-game losing streak. 

It’s a wet and slippery day as the game-time temperature hovers around freezing. 

Minnesota’s star running back, Adrian Peterson, is unable to do his shimmy in the sloppiness and has a dreadful day.  He gains just 40 yards and coughs up the ball once. 

Old man Favre came to FedEx last year and embarrassed the Redskins by running for a first down to end the game.  The dome team is unable to duplicate Favre's success and the Redskins win convincingly. 

John Beck is solid as Washington runs for 170 yards on the ground.

Redskins 20, Vikings 9

Week 17 at Philadelphia Eagles

The Redskins go into the final week of the season with hopes of having a winning record. 

Currently 8-7, they travel to Philadelphia, as the Eagles will overtake Dallas as the division champion with a win.  The game gets moved to Sunday Night Football on a frigid night. 

Both teams go at each other hard.  Neither team seems able to move the ball with any consistency.  Finally, Michael Vick runs for a score and throws for a second as the Eagles gain the advantage. 

Somehow, someway, the Redskins find a way to answer and are able to tie it up with a John Beck-to-Chris Cooley touchdown pass that sends the game into overtime. 

No team scores in the first or second overtime.  Finally, in the third overtime, DeSean Jackson takes a punt return to the house. 

The Eagles win the division but suffer from lingering battle wounds in the longest game in NFL history.  As a result, they draw a quick exit in the playoffs.

The Redskins improve but not enough.  They end the season with an 8-8 record.

Eagles 20, Redskins 14